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The father of murdered Newark police detective Joseph Azcona called the violent death of his hero son “a pain that is indescribable” as he was nearly too choked up for words Sunday evening.
Jose Azcona’s emotions were still understandably raw less than 48 hours after his 26-year-old son was killed by an alleged teenage gunman during a fiery shootout in the crime-plagued New Jersey city.
“It’s a pain that — It’s a pain that is indescribable,” Jose, 52, told The Post with a long pause.
“I have no words for the pain,” he continued in Spanish. “No words. I have no words.”
Det. Azcona, who had five years on the police force, “was shot before he even had the opportunity to leave his police car,” Essex County prosecutors said during a news conference Saturday.
The cop was pronounced dead at the hospital early Saturday morning.
The 14-year-old suspect, whose name hasn’t been released due to his age, allegedly pulled the trigger on an automatic weapon, shooting off nearly 30 bullets in rapid succession before he was wounded by returning fire.
He is facing murder charges, though an expert told The Post Sunday the accused killer won’t be tried as an adult.
Azcona’s partner was also shot and wounded during the gunfight that took place near a McDonald’s and White Castle at the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway, according to officials.
Jose Azcona — who was already back to work at his job at a Newark liquor store Sunday — said he and his family have had to keep their commitments while they work through the grief of the unthinkable tragedy.
But he noted that community support has been strong in the ugly aftermath.
“With time we will heal, but for now, I’m speechless,” he said. “We will miss him forever.”
The detective’s slaying spurred outrage and condolences across the country, including from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
“The entire NYPD is mourning the loss of @NewarkNJPolice Detective Joseph Azcona,” the city’s top cop wrote Saturday.
“Every day, officers put their lives on the line to protect others, and today, we are painfully reminded of the sacrifices they make.”
Meanwhile, NJ State PBA President Peter Andreyev said in a statement Azcona’s murder “is outrageous and should shock every NJ resident.”
“The fact that some 14-year-old decides to assassinate a New Jersey officer shows the failure of so many systems,” he said.
