Edison’s first Asian American police officer, Joseph Vincent Luistro, dies after battling ALS

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
Edison’s first Asian American police officer, Joseph Vincent Luistro, dies after battling ALS

Sergeant Joseph Vincent Luistro, in uniform, stands next to an Edison police cruiser. EDISON POLICE DEPARTMENT/Social Media

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 21 (ZFJ) — Sgt. Joseph Vincent Luistro, 55, Edison Township’s first Asian American and Filipino American police officer, died on Thursday, Jan. 18, after battling ALS.

“Sergeant Luistro touched the lives of many with his selfless spirit,” said the Edison Police Department, calling him a “trailblazer” for his role in “actively fostering inclusivity in law enforcement careers.”

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurological disorder in which motor neurons progressively die, causing loss of control of muscle movement. Luistro died at home with his family by his side, according to his obituary.

Luistro was born in Toronto and raised in Jersey City. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1991 with a bachelor of science in administration of justice and certificate in criminology.

He was hired by the Rutgers University Police Department, New Brunswick Division, in 1993 and served in the Patrol Division as a field training officer.

He joined the Edison Police Department in 1999 and served in patrol, traffic safety, recruitment, and the local Drug Enforcement Administration task force. He was also a field training officer, mentoring and guiding rookies. He was promoted to sergeant in 2016 and served as a supervisor in the Patrol Division. He retired in September 2020 after 27 years of service.

“Sergeant Luistro’s legacy lives on through his dedication to recruiting and mentoring new officers, especially from diverse backgrounds,” said the department.

Luistro was a member of PBA Local 75 and has received the Silver Life and Gold Life Medals of Honor. He was also a long-time member of the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Officers Association, having served as an executive board member for many years, as well as president from 2008 to his retirement in 2020. He was a member of the National Asian Peace Officers Association, having served as its vice president from 2005 to 2009.

“Joe was instrumental in diversifying police departments throughout the State of New Jersey,” reads his obituary.

He ran as a candidate for the Edison town council in 2021. He often participated in events with his daughters, sometimes performing with his battery-powered scooter, at Yvonne’s School of Dance. The studio awarded him the title of “Honorary Dance Dad.”

Luistro had a 34-year career in real estate, having begun at Williamson Realty in Piscataway in 1990, later moving to Coldwell Banker in Metuchen.

“He helped countless families achieve the American dream of home ownership,” says his obituary.

He has been a long-time parishioner of the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle. At the Roman Catholic church, he was an executive board member of the St. Matthew Philippine American Association from 2010 until his death.

Luistro is survived by his wife, Maria Mildred Luistro; mother, Julieta O. Luistro; daughters, Hannah and Jessica; sister, Jennifer Luistro Pring; brother, Jaydee Luistro, and his wife, Melona; and his niece, Mikayla Pring.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to the Joan Dancy & pALS Foundation, ALS Hope Foundation, ALS Association of Greater New York and New Jersey, and the MAC Angel Foundation.

VISITATION - Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Avenue, Edison

  • Monday, January 22, 2024 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, January 22, 2024 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

FUNERAL MASS - Church of St. Matthew the Apostle, 81 Seymour Avenue, Edison

  • Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 11:00 a.m.

ENTOMBMENT - Resurrection Cemetery, 899 East Lincoln Avenue, Piscataway

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