N.J. troopers join mourners at soldier's funeral

For hours yesterday, they walked down the aisle of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Burlington City and paused at the open, flag-draped casket to say goodbye.

Family members, friends and soldiers were followed by hundreds of New Jersey state troopers. They were joined by scores of officers from police departments as far away as Illinois and Connecticut.

Maj. Dwayne M. Kelley, a state trooper and Army Reservist who died June 24 in an explosion in Baghdad, "stood alone in his devotion to duty," said Gov. Corzine yesterday from the pulpit.

He was a "great trooper, soldier and patriot," said Col. Joseph Fuentes, the New Jersey State Police superintendent.

At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, he was a "gentle giant who walked softly and did the right thing," added Army Lt. Col. Mark Corzine, Kelley's commanding officer at Fort Dix.

Tributes to the Willingboro native, who was on his third tour in Iraq, poured in during a "homegoing" service, mixed with tearful mourning and joyful celebration.

In his eulogy, the Rev. Richard Jones likened Kelley, 48, to the Bible's "good and faithful" servant, who used the talents God gave him to be a better husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. "I think that fits Dwayne," he said.

Before the service, visitors spent final moments with Kelley while a choir sang the old hymn "Near the Cross," and photos of Kelley and his loved ones were projected on screens at the front of the church.

The family clustered around the casket as it was closed, then covered by the flag. The moment proved too much for his mother, Vera Kelley of Willingboro. Overcome with grief, she was helped to a wheelchair.

While the organ wailed and drums kept time, the choir sang "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," followed by Deacon Robert Preston's rendition of "I Won't Complain." He added the words "Thank you Dwayne, and thank you Lord."

Invited to speak, Gov. Corzine told the mourners that Kelley, an Arabic-speaking interrogator, was a peacemaker who tried to make life better for the Iraqi people and secure America's freedom. He quoted a Bible verse: "No one has greater love than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends."

"Maj. Kelley did that," the governor said.

Kelley, a detective sergeant first-class in the state police, was awarded the department's highest honor yesterday, the Distinguished Service Medal.

Following graduation from Kennedy High School in Willingboro in 1978, Kelley entered the Army, serving three years as a light-wheel vehicle mechanic.

He graduated from the ROTC program in 1985, earning a commission as a U.S. Army reserve second lieutenant. He later served in the military police and as a civil-affairs officer. His unit was working to rebuild infrastructure and restructure the government.

Kelley began his state police career in 1988. About 500 New Jersey troopers snapped salutes yesterday at his casket.

"Dwayne was well-liked and well-respected by all," said State Police Sgt. First Class Asa Anderson, who knew Kelley through high school and sports. "He was a leader in the state police and a leader in the U.S. Army."

The South Orange resident, who lived with his wife, Manita, and daughter Mushirah, received high praise from Army comrades, too.

"We know Dwayne is in a place where rockets can no longer reach him or bullets pierce him," said Army Brig. Gen. Guy Sands-Pingot.

Referring to Kelley's size, Lt. Col. Corzine said his friend's "big and rough exterior" housed an "intellectual, logical and caring individual.

There are "only two who have died for you," said Lt. Col. Corzine. "Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul and the other for your freedom."

Kelley received a 21-gun salute and a fly-over by state police helicopters flying in formation.

He died one day after Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, of Cherry Hill, who was killed when his group was attacked by small-arms fire near Baghdad. Dalessio's funeral was held on Wednesday.