Ocean City honors founders of HERO Campaign in emotional tribute

Bill and Muriel Elliott celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday. As joyous as their marriage has been, it is also marked by the tragic death of their son 25 years ago.

John Elliott, a Navy ensign, was killed by a drunken driver in Salem County, N.J., on July 22, 2000, just two months after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy.

The Elliotts honored the memory of their son with the creation of the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers in 2000 to promote safe driving and save lives.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian and members of City Council honored Bill and Muriel Elliott by presenting them with a proclamation that noted how they “turned tragedy into change” by founding the HERO Campaign.

“Everything you guys do, whether it’s a tragedy, you always turn it into something positive. I know that Ocean City has benefited,” Gillian told the Elliotts during the emotional proclamation ceremony at City Council’s Dec. 18 meeting.

    Members of City Council, Mayor Jay Gillian and the Elliott family stand for a group photo during the proclamation ceremony.
  

The proclamation stated that the HERO Campaign has saved lives and brought awareness to the importance of always having safe and sober designated drivers.

The proclamation also noted that the Elliotts’ advocacy led to the passage of “John’s Law” in New Jersey, which requires police to impound the vehicle of someone arrested for driving while intoxicated to prevent them from driving again while impaired.

The drunken driver who killed John Elliott in a head-on collision, and was killed himself, had been arrested earlier that night for drunken driving, but got behind the wheel again later on. John’s Law is designed to prevent similar tragedies by having police impound the cars of impaired drivers for 12 hours.

During the proclamation ceremony, Gillian told the Elliotts that Ocean City had wanted to honor them for some time to recognize their efforts.

“Ocean City has always been deeply appreciative of the many contributions the Elliotts have made to our community and our region,” the proclamation said.

    Bill and Muriel Elliott hold the city proclamation honoring them and the HERO Campaign.
  

The Elliotts live in Egg Harbor Township, but have strong family ties to Ocean City and consider it their second home.

“It’s been a great partnership. You helped keep us going, because it hasn’t been easy. But the love, the support, the enthusiasm, the whole spirit that makes Ocean City what it is has helped us carry on. And we really appreciate it,” Bill Elliott said.

Muriel Elliott recalled of how she and Bill would walk on the Boardwalk for comfort following John’s death.

“We have a lot of memories, and then when our son died, it was solace for us to come down and just walk on the Boardwalk, like, I think, a lot of people get a lot of peace from just taking a walk,” she said.

Among the members of her family who have worked in Ocean City over the years, Muriel noted that John’s very first job was at a waterpark on the Boardwalk.

Every year since 2011, the Elliotts have hosted a fundraising walk on the Boardwalk to benefit the nonprofit HERO Campaign. The walk is one of the signature events of the organization.

    Marchers gather around a HERO Walk banner as the event gets underway on the Ocean City Boardwalk in 2024.
  

In another example of the ties between Ocean City and the Elliotts, the Ocean City Police Department was the first law enforcement agency to decorate one of its vehicles with the HERO Campaign to promote safe and sober driving. 

Altogether, 40 police vehicles with law enforcement agencies in multiple states are decorated now with the HERO Campaign logo.

“You’re all friends of ours. This is our second home. I’m very proud to say that. You have been the perfect partners for us in everything we’ve done,” Bill Elliott said of the HERO Campaign’s collaboration with Ocean City.

The proclamation ceremony came to an emotional close when the Elliotts’ daughter, Jennifer Adamchak, thanked Ocean City officials for honoring her parents on their 50th wedding anniversary. She added a personal tribute to her parents.

“Thanks to them for setting such a wonderful example for both John and me of love and being happily married. We’re happy to celebrate them,” Jennifer said.

    Officers with the Ocean City Police Department unveil a patrol SUV wrapped in the HERO Campaign logo in 2024.