Thousands Raised at Surf Taco Fundraiser for Fallen Officer

Surf Taco announced that $2,000 was raised for the family of a fallen police officer, killed by an alleged drunk driver on Thanksgiving.

Last week, the Surf Taco’s throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties hosted a fundraiser for the family of Ocean Gate Officer Jason Marles who was killed on Nov. 25, driving home on the Garden State Parkway after finishing a shift, State Police said. Marles was a nine-year veteran and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Toms River resident Joseph Humenik, who is a social studies teacher at Lacey Township High School, coordinated the fundraiser. Humenik knew Marles personally as they grew up playing soccer and surfing together.

Twenty percent of every purchase made with a fundraiser flyer at Surf Taco on Feb. 2 went to Marles’ family. Marles, 32, of Point Pleasant Beach, is survived by his wife Ginny, as well as two children: daughter Taryn, age 5, and son Landon, age 4.

All Surf Taco locations were busy for lunch, Humenik said.

According to Casey Tormollan, the General Manager of the Lacey branch of Surf Taco, they had a couple hundred of customers, which was twice as much as usual. Tormollan knew Marles personally as well as they grew up surfing together.

“It’s just a great turn out for Jason and his family. We all miss Jason and we’re glad that the family will prosper from this,” Frank Scheldrick, a relative of Jason’s wife said. “He was a great guy.”