Families in Westerville, Ohio are showing their complete gratitude for police officers after the brutal killing of Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering earlier this week.
We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our @WestervillePD officers, communications and support staff. While our hearts are broken, we remain #WestervilleStrong. Please continue to keep the families of Officers Morelli and Joering in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/oFtArWJ2Pa
— City of Westerville (@tellwesterville) February 11, 2018
It’s amazing to see a community come together the way the Westerville community has. Look at all of those flowers, balloons, candles and signs. It means they love, respect and cherish the men and women who put their lives on the line.
Thank you to everyone who pulled over or lined the streets along the processional route to honor our fallen officers today. Your presence was felt and appreciated. #WestervilleStrong pic.twitter.com/nmzbnpURwr
— City of Westerville (@tellwesterville) February 13, 2018
Look at how many people showed up to pay their respects. THIS is what America is about.
Chief and colleagues: On behalf of the Elizabeth (CO) PD and all of us with the Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, we are standing with/praying for you all.
— M. C. Williams (@GodsCop911) February 12, 2018
Even other police departments wanted to send their well wishes during a troubling time.
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Our prayers are with all of you at the @WestervillePD, Chief @JoeMorbitzer our hearts join yours in mourning. God Bless each of you.
— Patrick C Sheehan (@patrickcsheehan) February 12, 2018
They may be gone but they’re definitely not forgotten.
https://twitter.com/ExtremeTinnitus/status/962828730291793920
When we lose someone to a criminal THUG, it hurts EACH and EVERY one of us, even if we don’t live in that town.
America is here for you and the families of the victims. Is there a donation page available?
?♂️#helpisontheway@MilwaukeePolice @realDonaldTrump @RacinePD @WestervillePD— Brandon J Clark (@BrandonJClark78) February 12, 2018
When people rally together around those who lost so much, we’re reminded that freedom is never free.
The families also issued the following statement through Public Information Officer Christa Dickey:
“We’re very thankful for our family, friends and the Westerville community. We feel loved and blessed, and we are appreciative of the outpouring of support. We have seen and heard so much from people who have shared stories about how our men impacted their lives. They will be so greatly missed, not only by us, but by everyone they touched.
Our men were dedicated officers for certain, but we knew them as dedicated fathers and husbands. When they were home, they were home. They left work at work. We are so sad that Eric will not see his three daughters’ graduate from high school. We’re devastated Tony will not be able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
We want to thank the Westerville Division of Police, the Columbus Division of Police and all the police agencies in Central Ohio who have helped and supported us. We are thankful for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. We know we’re not going to remember everyone right now, but we want to express our gratitude for the kindness and generosity we have been shown.
We are requesting our privacy to mourn our lost husbands and fathers. We need time to heal. We will be granting no interviews at this time.”
In lieu of flowers, the families of Officer Morelli and Officer Joering request that donations be made to Ohio Concerns of Police Survivors, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that operates as a peer support network for survivors whose loved ones have died in the line of duty, a statement by the Westerville Police Department said.
The City of #Westerville suffered a tremendous loss today. @WestervillePD Officer Anthony Morelli and Officer Eric Joering were killed in the line of duty. Please keep our first responders and the officers’ families in your thoughts and prayers. #WestervilleStrong pic.twitter.com/GcN3Y4FRvr
— City of Westerville (@tellwesterville) February 11, 2018
Thank you for your service, Officers Morelli and Joering.
UPDATE: 10:45 p.m. EST
This was just posted and we wanted to pay our respects to K9 Sam who was there during the Westerville shooting.
This is fallen #Westerville Police Officer Eric Joering's K9, Sam. He was in the back of Officer Joering's cruiser during the shooting. Sam is staying with his original trainer right now. He says Sam is doing ok, but his heart is broken too.. #OurHeartsA… https://t.co/5MJdO6Mqpf pic.twitter.com/We5hWmRgAc
— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) February 13, 2018
We know you miss your owner, Sam.
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