Cop-Killer Memorial, Widow's Statements Spark Outrage in Community

A memorial that was placed in front of the home of Lawrence Campbell, 27, who killed Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago caused tension to erupt in the community in the days following the shooting. 

The memorial has since been removed because it was feared it would become a flash point for violence, Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea told Chasing New Jersey reporters.

The memorial included more than 20 candles and liquor bottles that were sitting on the sidewalk; white T-shirts hung up at the memorial included this message: "Thug In Peace," according to nj.com. 

“A lunatic that was looking to kill a police officer, he wasn’t looking to rob a Walgreens or commit a crime other than execution style murder of a police officer,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who called the memorial "disgusting."

Campbell's widow also apologized for saying "he should've taken more with him," saying the accused cop-killer was high on PCP when he pulled the trigger, according to dailymail.com. 

Angelique Campbell caused fury when she made the statement after the Sunday incident. 

Campbell entered a Walgreens at 4 a.m. Sunday pretending to look for greeting cards and was then directed to the right place by a security guard. As Campbell began walking toward the cards he turned, brandishing a knife and assaulted the security guard, seizing his firearm in the process.

It is reported that Campbell then waited for several minutes until a police officer arrived and fatally shot Santiago, 23, in the head. Police returned fire and Campbell, who was being sought in another killing six miles west of New York City, was killed.

Authorities said Campbell claimed he was going to be famous, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Campbell's younger brother Samuel Campbell and cousin Samika defended him and the memorial, saying their relative was a caring person who perhaps was mentally ill.

“They're putting all this stuff out there making him seem like he was a monster and he wasn’t. Lala was a caring person and I’m going to stand up for mine,” Samika said.

A visitation for Santiago will take place Thursday at the McLaughlin Funeral Home at 625 Pavonia Ave. in Jersey City from 1 to 9 p.m.

Police will march down Kennedy Boulevard from Pavonia Avenue to Belmont Avenue, through Lincoln Park to St. Aloysius Church for the officer's 11 a.m. funeral Mass this Friday, NJ.com reported.