Detective Joseph Seals Story

The family of Detective Joseph Seals reached out to request a special urn after he was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 10, 2019. Detective Seals, who served with the Jersey City Police Department for 13 years, left behind a grieving wife, five children, and many other loved ones. Just seven days after his passing, thousands of police officers, detectives, community members, and citizens gathered to honor his life at a rainy funeral service in Jersey City.

Working closely with Det. Seals’ wife, Laura, I was privileged to design and craft an urn that would serve as a lasting memorial to a devoted husband, father, and public servant. The urn now sits in the Seals’ family home, offering a source of comfort as they navigate their grief.

After receiving the urn, Laura sent me a package that included a heartfelt letter expressing her deep gratitude, as well as medallions, a bracelet, and prayer cards made in her husband's honor. The letter, pictured below, reads:

"Dear John,

On behalf of the family of Joseph Seals, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your prayers, kind words, condolences, and all other acts of kindness conveyed to us.

The shock and devastation of Joe's murder deeply impacted our family, but the kindness you and others have shown us has helped us move toward healing.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers and know you will always be in ours.

May God bless you and keep you.

Laura Seals and children"

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to support the Seals family in this way. Their appreciation and the memory of Detective Seals' life and service continue to resonate deeply with me.

More about Detective Seals story is below, this comes from odmp.org. 

More about Detective Seals:

Detective Joseph Alan Seals was killed on December 10, 2019, at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City while investigating a van linked to a previous homicide. Tragically, he was shot in the back of the head by two individuals who then fled the scene, later barricading themselves in a kosher grocery store where they murdered three more people before being killed in a shootout with police.

The individuals responsible for this heinous act were part of a radical religious movement with anti-Jewish and anti-law enforcement views, and they specifically targeted the kosher grocery store in an act of religious terrorism.

Detective Seals served in law enforcement for a total of 18 years, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and community. His sacrifice and dedication to his community will never be forgotten.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/24328-detective-joseph-alan-seals