HOWELL – Hundreds of people gathered on a beautiful, sunny Tuesday afternoon in a suburban neighborhood as they welcomed home a New Jersey state trooper whose house was renovated to make his life easier.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation unveiled the newly renovated smart home for New Jersey State Trooper Sgt. First Class Sean Acker.
The homecoming included a ceremony and a celebration between family, loved ones, state troopers and other first responders. Speaking at the ceremony were Sgt. Acker’s wife, NJ State Trooper Captain Lisa Acker, and their two children, as well as FDNY Battalion Commander (Ret.) and Tunnel to Towers Board Member John LaBarbera, Col. Patrick J. Callahan, leader of the NJ State Police, Lt. Jason Cornwell (NJSP), and LT. John Verney, Port Authority Police Newark Airport.
Sgt. Acker’s life changed forever two years ago when he suffered a blood clot and went into cardiac arrest after surgery. This left him nearly blind along with other physical challenges like being wheelchair bound.
As a result, Acker had to live in a long-term rehab center for two years – until now.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially adapted, mortgage-free smart homes that help injured veterans and first responders reclaim their independence.
The Acker home now has a thousand-square-foot addition built onto the existing house. It includes an elevator, an ADA-compliant master bedroom and bathroom, and a kitchenette.
In addition, a permanent masonry ramp was installed at the front of the home.
Joined by family, Sgt. Sean Acker entered his home for the first time in two years. (Photo by Alyssa Riccardi)
“On February 3, 2022, our lives as we knew it changed forever. Our future as a family was broken into little pieces. But somehow, Tunnel to Towers has made us a whole puzzle again,” Capt. Lisa Acker said. “Two years ago, our lives changed in a matter of seconds, and now over a matter of six to eight months our lives are changing again, but for the better. Being able to bring Sean home, not knowing if we would ever be able to do so is very impactful. My kids are very grateful and the biggest thing is we just get to be together every day again.”
“I’ve been thinking about this day for so long; and look at that – that day is today. The day when my dad comes back home where he always belonged, where everyone wanted him to be, including myself. Days, weeks, and even months, when he would not stop asking ‘when will I be home,’” Sgt. Acker’s son Connor said. “Now, my dad and my family can stop asking that question because now we can see, talk, and engage in activities together forever again. Instead of driving a long distance, to being 15 minutes away, to now being just 15 feet away, is indescribable.”
Sgt. Acker was born in Abington, Pennsylvania and raised in Howell. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 and became one of the original Ravens in the Air Force as well as achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He retired from the military and joined the New Jersey State Police in 2006.
Acker achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class and was the head instructor for the physical training unit at the Academy.
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