PARMA, Ohio — Funeral services were held Saturday for Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin one week after he was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call.
Derbin was just 23 years old and had been with the Euclid Police Department for less than a year prior to his death. The 2018 graduate of Cuyahoga Heights High School had been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve before becoming a police officer. Derbin was set to marry his fiancée this summer.
His father, Vince Trusso, is also a member of the Euclid Police Department.
WKYC provided live coverage of the funeral, anchored by 3News' Russ Mitchell. You can watch below.
Saturday's service began as the funeral procession departed from A. Ripepi and Sons Funeral Home in Middleburg Heights.
The procession traveled to St. Columbkille Church on Broadview Road in Parma where the funeral ceremony began shortly after.
Liv Wuebker, the fiancée of Jacob Derbin, spoke at the funeral. The two had been set to get married this July.
She talked about Derbin's life before becoming a police officer and also sent a heartfelt message to the members of the Euclid Police Department.
"To the Euclid Police Department, he loved each and every one of you," she said during her remarks. "He was so excited to go to work every day that he would leave an hour and a half early for his shift. Thank you for making him happy by including him in the brotherhood."
Wuebker also expressed her love to her fallen fiancé.
"You made me feel like I could do anything with your love and support. You encouraged me to follow my dreams of becoming a dentist when I would get discouraged. Our relationship reflects a partnership built on trust, understanding, and genuinely caring for each other's well-being," she added. "Thank you for loving me."
Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer held back tears as he paid tribute to Derbin.
"Every day he showed up to work, he had an eagerness to serve his community and his fellow officers. While he was a physical presence, he was fun, kind, caring and compassionate," Meyer said.
Meyer added that there is "no doubt" that Derbin's actions on the night of May 11 saved the lives of four people -- two police officers and two citizens.
"Jacob, you are a true hero and I'm so incredibly proud of you," Meyer added.
Meyer announced that Derbin will posthumously receive the department's Medal of Honor.
"This is the highest honor that a Euclid police officer can be bestowed and we have no record to indicate that any Euclid police officer has ever received this highest honor," Meyer said.
Derbin's body is being taken to St. Mary's Cemetery on East 71st Street in Cuyahoga Heights for burial.
You can see images from the procession and funeral of Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin below.
PHOTOS | Community honors fallen Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin at funeral
REMEMBERING A HERO
Meyer called officer Derbin "a gentle giant" during a press conference earlier this week while providing details of the deadly shooting.
"Public service meant everything to him," Meyer said. "He was kind of a happy-go-lucky kind of a guy. He just loved public service and loved being here. He was that rare find. I’m devastated and his family is obviously devastated."
Derbin was responding to a call shortly before 10 p.m. last Saturday on East 211th Street in Euclid where he was shot.
“The complainant stated that her child’s father threatened to harm her and her mother,” Meyer explained. “Officers arrived and spoke to the complainant who stated that the suspect was on foot and possibly nearby. Officers went to check the back yard and were ambushed by gunfire from the suspect.”
Derbin succumbed to his injuries. He was 23 years old and engaged with wedding plans set for this summer.
“The world was a better place with him in it, and he will be desperately missed by all who knew him,” Meyer said.
He was sworn into the Euclid Police Department less than a year ago on July 24, 2023. His father is also currently a Euclid police officer.
Meyer said officers returned fire during the incident, but the suspect -- identified as 24-year-old Deshawn Anthony Vaughn -- fled on foot. The next day, Vaughn was involved in an hours-long standoff with authorities in Shaker Heights. He was later reported dead at that scene with the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office later ruling his death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation has been turned over to Ohio BCI.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO OFFICER DERBIN
In the week leading up to Saturday's funeral, several events were held to honor the life and memory of Jacob Derbin.
On Monday, a procession was held to take the body of Officer Derbin from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office in Cleveland, then past the Euclid Police Department, before heading to the A. Ripepi and Sons Funeral Home in Middleburg Heights.
On Tuesday, Cleveland firefighters took part in a 4.96-mile walk in honor of Officer Derbin. The memorial walk began at the upper part of Edgewater Park and ended at the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial outside Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Also on Tuesday, a candlelight vigil for Derbin was held at the Euclid Police Department.
On Thursday, a second vigil for Derbin took place at his alma mater of Cuyahoga Heights High School. Lindsay Buckingham reports from the emotional night.
Friends, family, and colleagues of Officer Derbin gathered for calling hours in Middleburg Heights on Friday.
Also, several events held by the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society for Police Week paid tribute to Officer Derbin. It included the Cleveland Police Badge Case Ceremony and the Police Memorial Parade.
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