EUCLID, Ohio — Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin was laid to rest on Saturday, one week after he was shot and killed while in the line of duty.
During the funeral services, Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer announced that Derbin will be posthumously receiving the department's Medal of Honor, the highest honor that can be awarded to a Euclid officer.
"We have no record to indicate that any other Euclid officer has ever received this highest honor," Meyer explained.
Derbin was fatally shot on May 11 while responding to a domestic violence call on East 211th Street.
“The complainant stated that her child’s father threatened to harm her and her mother,” Meyer explained after the shooting. “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 had been with the Euclid Police Department for less than a year.
At the funeral, 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.
Previous Reporting:
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- Fallen officers, including Jacob Derbin, honored at 2024 Cleveland police memorial ceremony
- Community gathers for vigil at Cuyahoga Heights High School in honor of fallen Euclid police officer Jacob Derbin