CLEVELAND — As America observes National Police Week, the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society has been holding a series of commemorative events "to recognize all law enforcement officers for their dedicated service, and honor those who died in the line of duty serving their communities."
The annual police memorial parade was held Friday morning, which was then immediately followed by a memorial service.
During Friday's service, officials -- including Cleveland police chief Annie Todd -- paid their respects and remembered fallen officers who have died in the line of duty, including Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin, who died last Saturday.
“This is a solemn week for all law enforcement officers, but the tragic loss of officer Derbin for Euclid reminds us of the dangers we face daily," said Todd. "Our hearts and prayers are with officer Derbin’s family and the Euclid Police Department."
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne also spoke at the service, recognizing the sacrifices that police officers and their families make when joining law enforcement.
“When I used to swear in officers at my last job in University Circle, the first thing I would say to the officers was, 'Thank you. Thank you for putting your heart, your brain and your guts on the front line for all of us.' The second one I thanked was the family members because you do, too. You wake up every day wondering what today is going to bring. That is why there is no harder job in this country than law enforcement."
The keynote speaker for the memorial service was Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson. During the service, he asked for a moment of silence to remember all fallen officers, including Derbin, who died in the line of duty.
“We have lost 58 officers in the line of duty in the first five months this year," said Tomlinson. "One of them, you know, was one of our own, Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin. Derbin was 23 years old and was engaged to be married when he was ambushed and shot and killed just after 10 months on the Euclid police department. Let’s be clear. Officer Derbin did not die as a result of some mistake he made. It’s dangerous out there."
The full memorial service can be watched below:
PREVIOUS EVENTS FROM POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK
On Monday at the memorial site in Huntington Park, members of the community held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the fallen. This year's event was particularly somber, as it came just days after the shooting death of Euclid Police Officer Derbin.
Julia Sherry Ruane knows this feeling well. Her brother, Cleveland Officer Desmond Sherry, was killed in the line of duty 44 years ago.
"Every time I hear of a police officer killed in the line of duty, it's fresh as if my brother died yesterday," Ruane told 3News.
Derbin's cousins also attended Monday's memorial.
"It's proud that he offered his life for us," Jeaninne Hozian said of her late relative. "He's a hero. It's hard, but I'm so proud of him. He's a hero."
Next year, Derbin's name will be etched alongside the other 192 currently on the memorial. One of those names belongs to fallen Cleveland Officer David Fahey, whose mother Jacqueline Ketterer came to honor her son once again.
"We miss him dearly, but we want to keep his memory alive for everybody else," Ketterer stated.
It's a sentiment Derbin's family now holds.
"It's absolutely devastating. It's just sad," Jacob's cousin Lauren Liberator said. "I want more for our humanity and for our communities that these officers [are] sacrificing their lives [for]. ... I just want better. I really do. It's sad."
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd and other city officials were on hand Thursday for the Cleveland Police Badge Case Ceremony at the Justice Center. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott was the featured speaker.
The impact of the loss of Derbin was emphasized by everyone who spoke at the ceremony.
"I know our hearts are heavy today," Bibb said during his remarks. "In reflecting on his (Derbin's) life, his mother said some profound words: 'Jacob loved his family, he loved his community, he loved his country -- more importantly, he always put people first.'"
Elliott saluted law enforcement members, including those from his U.S. Marshals' Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, who worked through the night and into Mother's Day to find Derbin's killer.
"I'm so very proud of each and every one of them. They would not quit until Jacob's handcuffs were placed on that fugitive," he said. "That is a unity and the commitment of our profession."
You can watch the ceremony in the player below.
The full list of activities can be seen below:
"As we embark upon Police Week, we are starkly reminded of the dangers faced by law enforcement each day," Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel said. We humbly thank Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin for his service to our community and promise to never forget his sacrifice."
More from 3News:
- Who is Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin? Remembering the 23-year-old killed in the line of duty
- What is a Blue Alert in Ohio? Here's why one was activated this weekend
- 'We’re going to continue to stand united': Reaction after shooting death of Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine orders flags lowered in honor of Euclid officer killed in shooting