St. Matthias student spearheads trooper memorial

SOMERSET – A Catholic school student with a keen eye and a warm heart has rallied her Somerset faith community in honoring the memory of one of its own. Riley Beisser, an eighth-grade student in St. Matthias School, joined forces with the N.J. State Police this spring to memorialize Trooper Anthony A. Raspa, a 2004 alumnus who died while on duty in 2015 at the age of 24.

“My grandfather, Walter Kowal, is a retired State Trooper,” Riley began. “Three generations of my family visited the N.J. State Police Museum [in Ewing Twp.] over the Christmas break.”

As Riley examined the museum’s “In Memoriam” wall which listed the fallen, she recognized the name of Raspa, a fellow St. Matthias graduate. The lifelong Highland Park resident graduated from Bishop George Ahr High School, Edison, in 2008, and earned a spot in the 152nd New Jersey State Police Class, graduating in October 2013.

“When I realized he went to St. Matthias, I thought it was important for the school to show some recognition,” Riley continued. The student, who served as president of the school’s Student Council, proposed the idea to the board and consulted with principal Mary Lynch, deciding a plaque installed at the school would be a fitting tribute.

Kowal contacted the Raspa family for permission for the tribute; Riley, too, eventually met Raspa’s parents, Salvatore and Elizabeth, who she labelled as “great people.” The state police funded and designed the plaque through their State Trooper Fraternal Association, and sent representatives including Col. Patrick J. Callahan, N.J. State Police Superintendent, to Mass and dedication in St. Matthias Church May 18.

In a Facebook post by the law enforcement agency, officials expressed their appreciation for Riley’s project, saying, “The New Jersey State Police family is incredibly touched by such a thoughtful and considerate memorial from this wonderful young lady.” The plaque will be hung permanently in the school’s lobby.

Among the Raspa family members in attendance was the late trooper’s sister, Tina, who called the unveiling of the plaque “empowering, overwhelming and touching.”

Raspa, who was in seventh grade in St. Matthias School when her older brother died, recalled, “I remember a phrase they used when I was in school there: ‘No matter who you are, no matter where you are on your journey, you are welcome.’ When bad things happen, that type of community gets you through.”

Riley, now 14 years old, will begin her freshman year at Immaculata High School, Somerville, this fall. She plans to pursue a career path which involves writing. When asked how she would advise a fellow student who may feel powerless or unheard when trying to solve a need, she answered, “If you really feel something is important, do it.”