David Popek Jr.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

Wallington will hold a street sign dedication this weekend to honor David Popek Jr., a US Air Marshal and former football star who died suddenly in 2012, at 25 years old.

The dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 12 p.m. at the corner of Alden Street and Pulaski Avenue, Wallington officials said. A reception will follow at the Hillside Club on First Street.

Growing up, Popek was one of Wallington’s standout athletes, excelling across football, basketball, and track, according to his obituary on the Warner Wozniak Funeral Home website.

In football, he was a four-year letterman and a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who became the only player in school history to reach that milestone in consecutive seasons. He broke both the career rushing record with 3,442 yards and the career touchdown record with 38, and earned First Team All-League honors, the Herald News All-Area MVP award, and a spot on the Super 100 All-State Football Team. He also participated in the Bergen County All-Star Football Game and received the NFFCHF Scholar Athlete Award.

His talents extended far beyond the football field. In basketball, Popek earned Honorable Mention All-League and the Coaches Award, and in track he was named Second Team All-League in the 1600 relay. He was Wallington High School’s Outstanding Male Athlete and was deeply involved in school life, serving as Vice President of the National Honor Society, President of the Student Council, and performing in school plays, including starring roles in Clue and Arsenic and Old Lace, according to the obituary.

After graduation, Popek attended The College of New Jersey, where he majored in political science, minored in criminal justice, and played for the Lions on their NJAC championship football team, his obituary said. In 2011, he pursued his passion for public service by joining the United States Air Marshals, where he excelled during academy training and broke the agility record for the shuttle run at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, according to the obituary.

A scholarship fund was later created in David's name.