Family, friends, and colleagues gather to mourn NJ State Trooper killed in the line of duty

ATLANTIC CITY (WTXF) - The sound of rain and footsteps on a cold, gray, dreary day.

The backdrop as law enforcement officers - predominately state police from all over- made their way to boardwalk hall in Atlantic City.

Chaplain Gary Holden with NJ State Police said, "I've already seen officers from as far as Colorado - they come from all over the country representing state troopers."

They've come to say goodbye to yet another fallen brother - New Jersey State Trooper Frankie Williams - 31 years old - killed responding to a call of an erratic driver -- an erratic driver who police say - ended up crossing the median on Route 55 Millville - slamming head-on into Trooper Williams' police cruiser. Both Trooper Williams and 61 year old Lloyd Rudley died.

"He was a go-getter. He worked very hard to get where he was."

Sara Snelling worked with Frankie Williams at Lowes when he moved to the area from Florida - determined she says to join New Jersey State Police.

"Type of person who made a lasting impression couldn't help but like Frankie."

"He was one whose smile would take your breath away."

Trooper Cara Spinoza said, "We were lucky enough to start out on the same squad."

Trooper Cara Spinoza looked up to Williams from the time they both were cadets -- she was looking forward to working with him again -- just assigned to his squad -- but she didn't get the chance.

"Frankie Williams was on the job just 11 months --- married 2 months, just horrible."

"Every time I saw him, he never called me by my name - he called me sis," Spinoza said.

The solemn sight and sound of bagpipes - preceding the hearse and the encased flag to be presented to the family at a private burial - Trooper Williams face in a line of monitors along the board walk - respected by so many whose lives he touched in his time cut short on earth.

"For as difficult a time it is we're pushing thru we still have a job to do."