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Community raises funds, thanks first responders as Officer Miller recovers
Summary
At the Aug. 12 Roseland Borough meeting, local businesses and the Roseland Police Foundation presented consolidated donations to support Officer Miller’s family while a mental-health presenter highlighted community perinatal supports. Council and residents praised community fundraising and first-responder care.
Hundreds of residents and borough officials on Aug. 12 gathered at the Roseland Borough meeting to recognize fundraising and community support for a police officer critically injured earlier this year.
Mayor Spango and other council members introduced presentations by local partners who raised money for Officer Miller’s recovery and family expenses. Jack Gordon, president of the Roseland Police Foundation, said the foundation consolidated donations from other foundations and local residents and presented a $5,000 check; Frank Oliver of the Franklin Steakhouse contributed an additional $2,000, which Gordon described as bringing the day’s total to $7,000. Gordon said the foundation would continue to accept assistance "to help in any way that we can." (Jack Gordon is listed as president of the Roseland Police Foundation.)
Manager Matt Bowen of the local Jersey Mike’s was recognized for organizing a National Night Out fundraiser in which customers who donated helped raise funds for the Miller family; the mayor thanked the business as "a great partner in our community." The meeting transcript identified Matt Bowen as Jersey Mike’s manager.
A member of Officer Miller’s family—introduced during the presentations as Mark’s father—addressed the assembly and thanked the community and law-enforcement colleagues for the outpouring of support. "From the bottom of my heart," he said, "the love and support that he got from the law enforcement community, from Roseland, it just actually blew me and my family away." The speaker identified himself as a retired police officer.
The public recognition also included a short segment from Maria Clemente Moresi, CEO of Reimagine Mind Counseling and Consultation, who outlined a West Essex Women’s Wellness Mini Expo at the Roseland Public Library on Aug. 23. Moresi said vendor donations will fund a 2026 effort to subsidize therapy for pregnant and postpartum people who cannot afford care; she encouraged community members to register through the library’s website.
Council members repeatedly thanked foundation volunteers, first responders and local businesses during committee reports and the mayor’s remarks. The evening’s presentations concluded before the council moved to routine business and ordinance introductions.
The borough did not set additional formal actions tied to the donations during the meeting; council members said collections would continue through local organizations.
