Police Officer Brandon Gaeta was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and grew up in Paramus, New Jersey and Kinnelon, New Jersey. Gaeta’s childhood was one that any child dreams of, with loving parents and an amazing sister. With his parents getting divorced when he was young, he spent a lot of time with his parents separately, however, both of them mean a great deal to him. Gaeta was heavily involved in sports, playing football, baseball, and ice hockey. It consumed a lot of his time, but he loved it. He also enjoyed playing video games, hanging out with his friends, riding bikes, quads, and dirt bikes. Gaeta and his partner grew up close to each other in Kinnelon, New Jersey, however, they did not cross paths until their early twenties. They have shared over five happy years together, and plan to marry and have children when they are settled into their new home.
Gaeta was inspired to become a police officer by his grandfather and father, who both were policemen. He always viewed it as a noble profession and was determined to be there for others in their time of need. After gaining experience as a volunteer police officer, he knew what he was destined to do. In 2014, he started his career as a volunteer auxiliary officer with the River Edge Police Department. He served there for three years before being hired by Essex County Sheriff’s Office as a volunteer deputy sheriff in 2017. After graduating from the Essex County College Police Academy in August of 2017, Gaeta worked 50-60 hours per week as a United States Postal Service Mail Carrier until he was hired as a full-time Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II with the Irvington Police Department in June of 2018. He was assigned to the patrol division and community affairs. Gaeta loved the privilege and opportunity of being able to serve the residents of New Jersey, work with the community for special events, details, and more. He also did a lot of outreach work with the senior citizens of Irvington Township at the local senior center. He loved everything about his career and received valor awards for his actions on August 8, 2019. Gaeta had aspirations to be assigned to the school district as a school resource officer which he was on the road to achieving in September of 2019.
On August 8, 2019, Gaeta and his team responded to reports of shots fired in town. When he and his zone partner arrived at the scene, a gunman immediately opened fire on them, and Gaeta and other officers immediately returned fire. Gaeta was struck in both legs and was forced to take cover by himself while rounds of gunfire were whistling over his head. He was eventually shielded by a fellow officer’s body, whose partner came to pick him up in an unmarked unmarked vehicle and transported him to a patrol vehicle. Gaeta was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey where he underwent multiple surgeries. He sustained a direct through/through gunshot wound to his right ankle, as well as a graze wound to his left calf. Recovery for Gaeta has been long and tiresome thus far. He underwent multiple surgeries and a year’s worth of rehabilitation to try to save his right foot and ankle and was even fitted for an IDEO brace which would allow him to walk easier and with less pain. However, after about six months, the pain was too unbearable to continue working. He and his doctors decided the best option was to amputate his right leg below the knee to improve his quality of life. Amputation brought a new set of unique challenges and hurdles, despite it undoubtedly being the right decision. Gaeta was ultimately left with no choice but to medically retire from police work, despite his best and honorable efforts to return in any capacity. Unfortunately, it did not play out the way he would have wanted it to.
Currently, Gaeta is living in Vernon, New Jersey. His main priority is adjusting to being an amputee, however, he has many hobbies, including spending time with his family and friends, playing guitar, piano, and producing music in his at-home recording studio. In the future, Gaeta plans on becoming a police academy instructor in the state of New Jersey to share his story with new recruits, as well as helping train new generations of law enforcement officers. Gaeta is immensely grateful for his family, his girlfriend’s family and his friends for standing by his side throughout his very long and tiresome recovery process. He is also thankful for Tunnel to Towers for accepting him into the Smart Home program and giving him the opportunity to improve his quality of life. He plans on taking the next steps in his relationship with his partner and together, they plan on having children and raising them in their new Home. Police Officer Brandon Gaeta would like people to know how important it is to continue to push forward and remain resilient; life is short, enjoy every moment, and love those who love you.