The memory of a six-year-old Hispanic boy who died trying to save his sister from a rapist will be immortalized with the expansion of a sports complex in Camden Park that bears his name starting in 2021.
This is a $1.5 million allocation of funds to add a baseball diamond to the sports center, located between Point and North streets, for little league fans to practice.
Dominick Andújar, who would have been 17 years old if he had survived the attack on September 2, 2012, wanted to protect his sister from a rapist who entered the family residence by force. The boy grabbed a knife that the perpetrator, identified as Osvaldo Rivera, used to kill him and threaten other of the boy’s little sisters, who later escaped.
Rivera was sentenced to 110 years in prison for murder, attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault, burglary and terrorist threats.
Almost 11 years after his murder, Dominick’s heroism has not been forgotten. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners, Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other community partners unveiled improvements to North Camden Park.
“This really helps us deal with death because we used to play here when we were younger,” Dominick’s sister said at Tuesday’s ceremony. “This is a park that we come to all the time, and we clean it up, and we make sure that all the children are safe.”
Park improvements include the removal of soil contamination and other environmental concerns, as well as a new ball field with solar-powered lights, new trees, benches, trash cans, and a walkway connecting the north and south sides. .
“This is a much-loved park here in North Camden and making sure it is in the best shape it can be was a top priority for us,” said Commissioner Jeff Nash, liaison with the Parks Department. “The project is part of Camden County’s ongoing $21 million commitment to partner with the City of Camden to rehabilitate and expand green space here in the city. We are thrilled to have this park completed and can’t wait for the community to fully enjoy it.”
In addition to the improvements to the park, officials also unveiled a statue of a lion cub to commemorate Dominick and his bravery. “My son is happy in heaven. Thank you to everyone who put their heart and soul into making this park and field a fun and safe place for children to play the sport my son loved so much,” said Debbie Burgos, mother of the youngest. “The lion cub symbolizes the courage, strength and bravery that Dominick displayed at such a young age and will continue to help honor his memory.”
