Almost 20 years ago, the Elliott family gathered with friends and family in the backyard of their Egg Harbor Township home three months after their son, John, was killed in a head-on collision with a drunken driver.
John was 22 and had just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
That backyard meeting on Oct. 24 of that year marked the beginning of the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign. Its message was and is a simple one: Be a Hero. Be a designated driver.
“We wanted there to be a legacy for John that related to what happened to him and trying to prevent it from happening to other families,” his father, Bill Elliott, said this week. “We immediately knew we wanted to do something to remember John in a positive way because people get forgotten as things recede into the past.”
Bill, his wife, Muriel, and daughter, Jennifer Elliott Adamchak, are the driving force behind the Hero Campaign.
During the past 20 years, the organization has joined with everyone from neighborhood bars to law enforcement to schools to the Philadelphia Phillies and New England Patriots to raise awareness about drunken driving.
More than 100,000 people have taken the campaign’s pledge not to drink and drive.
In 2001, New Jersey enacted a law named for John that requires police to impound the cars of anyone charged with DUI for 12 hours. About 30,000 cars annually are towed under John’s Law.
The campaign holds several yearly events, including a golf tournament where Muriel’s home-made chocolate chip cookies are a big hit.
“We realized the police could not arrest every (drunken driver),” Muriel said. “If you were going out for the night, we wanted people to think ‘Who’s my hero?’ Who’s going to drive us home?’”
The details of John’s death seemed to shake all of South Jersey.
He was driving to Egg Harbor Township from the Naval Academy’s campus in Annapolis late on Friday, July 21, 2000. Muriel’s birthday party was the following night. It was late at night, but John wanted to get home, so he could enjoy the beach before the party.
John picked up his girlfriend, Kristen Hohenwarter, in Baltimore and crossed over the Delaware Memorial Bridge at about 1:15 a.m. on Saturday July 22, 2000.
Earlier that Friday night, state police had arrested Michael Pangle of Woodstown with a blood-alcohol content of 0.21, more than twice the state’s legal limit.
Pangle was released into the custody of a friend, who drove him back to his Chevy Blazer, which was parked where Pangle was arrested.
Thirty minutes later, Pangle, driving his Blazer again, swerved into the opposite lane and crashed head-on into John’s car. Pangle and John were killed.
Hohenwarter suffered serious injuries but recovered and is now a teacher in Maryland.
A gray granite cross built by volunteers from the New Jersey Bricklayers Council and Ironworkers Local 399 marks the crash site on Route 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township. That stretch of road is now known as the John Elliott Memorial Highway.
The Elliotts visited the cross Wednesday just as they do each year on July 22.
What would John have thought about the campaign and what his family has accomplished in the past 20 years?
“He wouldn’t have wanted all the fuss,” Jennifer said with a laugh. “He was very humble. But he would obviously be on board with the message for saving lives and really proud of my parents for all the work they’ve done.”
The Elliotts smile quick when they talk about John these days. Jennifer’s two daughters – Nora, 7 and Anna, 10, — know all about Uncle John.
Nora says the family tells her she’s like Uncle John because she can make people laugh.
Anna touts John’s love of music. Right before he died, John made a mix tape of country singer Faith Hill for his mother.
The Elliotts remember how John’s shoulders shook up and down when he laughed. His friends called him “Jumbo,” and John and his fellow midshipmen watched countless movies on John’s computer screen nicknamed “the Jumbotron.”
What the campaign has done best is raise awareness about the drunken driving issue. It notes that DUI incidents have decreased by 20% in New Jersey the past decade.
Through HERO billboards, the organization pays tribute to drunken driving victims or honors college students who serve as designated drivers for friends and family.
Countless people have put HERO decals on the back of their cars and now there are even HERO masks to help protect against the new coronavirus.
“John is very much with us through the Hero Campaign,” Bill said. “What we are is a marketing campaign to remind people to do the right thing. A designated driver is a hero. A designated driver would have saved our son’s life and can save countless lives.”
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Bill Elliott (center) with his wife, Muriel, and daughter Jennifer Adamchak. The family founded the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 15 years ago after the Naval Academy graduate was killed by a drunken driver. Thursday July 16 2015 (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)
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The new HERO Campaign police cruiser. Bill Elliott expresses his gratitude to the Ocean City Police Department. He anticipates this patrol car will be the first of many like them throughout NJ.
HEROtini Challenge

The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers held its first HEROtini Challenge at the Stockton Seaview Hotel in Galloway. The event featured bars and taverns from around South Jersey competing for the best HEROtini, an alcohol-free cocktail.
HEROtini Challenge

The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers held its first HEROtini Challenge at the Stockton Seaview Hotel in Galloway. The event featured bars and taverns from around South Jersey competing for the best HEROtini, an alcohol-free cocktail.
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Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, police Capt. Charlie Simonson, HERO Campaign co-founder Bill Elliott and police Chief Jay Prettyman unveil the new HERO Campaign police cruiser.
HERO VIDEO

Sebastian Chiaramonte, 17, left Gabbie Costantini, 15 Lyanni Rodriguez, 15 Juliana Perez, 16 and Myles carter 17, right students of Oakcrest High School take part in creating a video for the HERO Campaign's peer video challenge Thursday Nov 15, 2017. (The Press of Atlantic City / Edward Lea Staff Photographer)
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'Today is a day when we should be proud of the progress we made,' said Bill Elliott, founder of the HERO Campaign, at the rededication of a memorial to his son, U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, killed by a drunken driver in 2000. LAUREN CARROLL / Staff Writer
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On August 4th, 2017, cars are directed into the parking lot of the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Twp. during a DWI check point, involving multiple police departments from Atlantic county. Bill and Muriel Elliot from the Hero Campaign will be on location interacting with drivers commending designated drivers. Bill Elliot holds up one of the shirts he is handing out to drivers doing the right thing.
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On August 4th, 2017, cars are directed into the parking lot of the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Twp. during a DWI check point, involving multiple police departments from Atlantic county. Bill and Muriel Elliot from the Hero Campaign will be on location interacting with drivers commending designated drivers and drivers doing the right thing. Bill Elliot (right) hands out HERO t-shirts and pamphlets to Kimberly Bethea of Pleasantville (left).
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Paul Gregory, bartender at Gregory's Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point, holds a Greg's Grape Decision, the nonalcoholic mixed drink Gregory's has entered in the Great Herotini Mocktail Challenge. Suzanne Marino / For the Press
Uber Hero Campaign

Bill and Muriel Elliott the parents of John R. Elliott who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000, receive an honorary key to Sea Isle City from mayor Leonard Desiderio during the designated driver campaign. Uber and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers announced a new initiative to prevent drunk driving at the Jersey Shore this summer by offering a discount on your next Uber ride. The program was announced Monday, June 26, 2017, in Sea Isle City Council Chambers, attended by City Mayor Leonard Desiderio, a supporter of the safe ride initiative. Monday June 26, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Press of City)
HEROtini Challenge

The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers held its first HEROtini Challenge at the Stockton Seaview Hotel in Galloway. The event featured bars and taverns from around South Jersey competing for the best HEROtini, an alcohol-free cocktail.
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Approximately 100 fifth and sixth grade students at Ocean City Intermediate School gathered on the field to display their HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers banner, which they will be carrying down the boardwalk during the upcoming HERO Walk. Photo by Stefanie Campolo
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Meaghan Kim, of Egg Harbor Township, lost her best friend from middle school and high school Jennifer Stoop to a drunk driver in 1991. She stands next to Stoop's photo with husband Hak Kim at the 2016 HERO Walk for the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers in Ocean City on Oct. 2. MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST Staff Writer
Hero Walk

Participants of the Hero Walk waves and throw hats in the air at the start of the Hero Walk. The annual Hero Walk for the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers took place on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with hundreds of participants starting at 6th Street and proceeding south along the boardwalk. Sunday Oct. 2, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Hero Walk

The annual Hero Walk for the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers took place on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with hundreds of participants starting at 6th Street and proceeding south along the boardwalk. Sunday Oct. 2, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Hero Walk

Egg Harbor Township High School cheerleaders open the Hero walk with a cheer routine. The annual Hero Walk for the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers took place on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with hundreds of participants starting at 6th Street and proceeding south along the boardwalk. Sunday Oct. 2, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
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Harold Kurtz, of Somers Point, and Rita Salerno, of Margate, board the free trolley to Ocean City from the Circle Liquors parking lot in Somers Point, Friday, July 6, 2001. The two friends were bound for Mack and MancoÕs on the O.C. Boardwalk. The service is a courtesy of the John Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers.
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Jennifer Adamchak (John Elliott's sister) and her daughter, Anna, 9 months, Muriel and Bill Elliott stand next to a portriat of John and Jennifer in their EHT home. Muriel and Bill Elliott began The Ensign John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers. Tuesday June 22 2010 (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)
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Sue and Don Doll of Ocean City pick up a 'HERO' sticker for their car at the Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Dinner, Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
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Granddaughter, Anna Adamchak, 9 months, sits on Muriel's lap as she and Bill Elliott discuss the Heroes Campaign at their EHT home. Muriel and Bill Elliott began The Ensign John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers. Tuesday June 22 2010 (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)
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Dan Picherello and Tara Peak of Somers Point and Margate, prepare to plunge. Ocean City's First Dip (the annual polar bear plunge) brings hundreds of attendees, many dressed in costumes, to race into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day. This event is sponsored by the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, which is signing up plungers to pledge to be designated drivers. Sunday Jan 1, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)
Hero Walk

Riley McEvoy 11, of Mays Landing, sang the National Anthem to open the Hero Walk. The annual Hero Walk for the John R. Elliott Hero Campaign for Designated Drivers took place on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with hundreds of participants starting at 6th Street and proceeding south along the boardwalk. Sunday Oct. 2, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Uber Hero Campaign

The HERO Campaign was created in the memory of Bill and Muriel Elliott’s son John, who was killed in a crash with a drunken driver in July 2000 on Route 40 in Salem County.
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Herotini marketing director Christine D’Alessandro tells Hero Campaign founder Bill Elliott, behind her, Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser and Gregory’s co-owner Greg Gregory how to vote for their favorite drink and bartender in the Great Herotini Mocktail Challenge.
Hero Walk Run

Runners of the first HERO 5K run pose for a photo before the race. The 7th annual John R. Elliott Campaign HERO walk in Ocean City, included an inaugural 5K run on the Boardwalk.
Sunday Oct. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Press of Atlantic City)
Hero Walk Run

Runners of the first HERO 5K run get ready to race. The 7th annual John R. Elliott Campaign HERO walk in Ocean City, included an inaugural 5K run on the boardwalk. Sunday Oct. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Press of Atlantic City)
Honoring HERO Campaign Co-Founders Bill and Muriel Elliott

Atlantic City police Deputy Chief James Sarkos hosts the Atlantic City Police Foundation’s fourth annual Hero Luncheon at The Palm restaurant at Tropicana Atlantic City. Honoring HERO Campaign Co-Founders Bill and Muriel Elliott
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Students representing Stockton University fraternities and sororities participate in a tug-of-war, above, Sunday during the ninth annual HERO Games at the campus in Galloway Township. At right, Cassie Infantino competes in the football throw. The event promotes both the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and Greek Week festivities. Students signed up for the HERO Pledge to not drink and drive and always use designated drivers if drinking.
Hero Walk an Enduring Success in Ninth Year at Ocean City Boardwalk

Hero Walk an Enduring Success in Ninth Year at Ocean City Boardwalk. Many participants walked in honor of loved ones.