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Newark Archdiocese' Blue Mass honors Newark Police Detective Joseph Azcona, slain by a teen in March

More than 1,000 police officers filled the pews of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Thursday for the Archdiocese of Newark’s annual Blue Mass, where honorees included Det. Joseph Azcona , slain in March by a gunman authorities say was 14.

The homily was given by Cardinal Joseph Tobin , head of the archdiocese and New Jersey’s highest-ranking Catholic cleric, with the Mass attended by members of Azcona’s family, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy , the Republican nominee to replace him, Jack Ciattarelli , and officers from a multitude of surrounding departments.

Tobin told the blue congregants that the purpose of the Mass, now in its 32 nd year, was to prov

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