Roger P. Yennie

Roger P. Yennie, age 78 years, of Bernards Township, NJ died on Friday, May 1, 2020 at the Lyons VA Medical Center, Bernards Township, NJ where he had resided for more than forty years. Born in Haledon, NJ on July 24, 1941, he was the son of the late Frank and Sylvia Yennie. Roger served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, eventually attaining the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Yennie saw significant combat while in Vietnam. In fact, he was a part of the Battle of Dak To, which resulted in him being awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry in action. He was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1969. Shortly thereafter, Roger went to the police academy and was a graduate of the Paterson Police Department Class of 1969. However, Mr. Yennie was on the Paterson Police Department for less than a year when he experienced two traumatic events in the same week that would end his career. The first took place on August 28, 1970 when he and his partner were intentionally struck by a reckless driver, which only resulted in minor injuries to both. The second incident took place on the night of August 31, 1970 and was what unfortunately ended his career. He was in foot pursuit of a suspect when he took a major fall that led to a traumatic brain injury. The injury completely incapacitated him and left him disabled for the rest of his life. He is survived by his wife, Anna “Ann” Altovillo Yennie, of Trinity, FL. She eventually got his story told via social media a few years ago after nearly fifty years of his service being largely forgotten. Burial in a national cemetery and arrangements are private under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. For further information or to send online condolences we invite you to visit www.holcombefisher.com.