A Port Authority police officer, former MLB pitcher, and married father of four was killed in a double fatal crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Jersey City while on his way to the 9/11 memorial service in Manhattan.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Anthony Varvaro, 37, was struck by Henry A. Plazas, 30, of Bridgewater, who was heading west on the Hudson Bay Extension in the eastbound lanes around 4:25 a.m. this morning in Jersey City, The Daily Voice reported.
“Officer Varvaro represented the very best of this agency, and will be remembered for his courage and commitment to service,” PANYNJ Chair Kevin O’Toole and agency Executive Director Rick Cotton said in a joint statement.
“On this solemn occasion as the Port Authority mourns the loss of 84 employees in the attacks on the World Trade Center — including 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department — our grief only deepens today with the passing of Officer Varvaro.”
A six-season MLB veteran between 2010 and 2015, Varvaro played for the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox. Four of the six seasons of his professional career was spent with Atlanta, who acknowledged his death on Twitter this afternoon.
“We are deeply saddened on the passing of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro. Anthony, 37, played parts of six seasons in the majors, including four with Atlanta. He voluntarily retired from MLB in 2016 to become a Port Authority police officer,” the team wrote.
“He was en route to serve at the World Trade Center Command in commemoration of September 11, 2001 activities when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues.”
