Fallen officers honored during week celebrating law enforcement

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) – It’s National Police Week, a time to recognize those who serve and protect our communities.
The Tuscora Fraternal Order of Police Lodge is asking residents to show their support by illuminating their porches and walkways with blue lights. Past president Bob Everett says it means a lot to them.
“Some places in this country there have been whole entire neighborhoods that got together and put the blue lights in and lit up an entire neighborhood in blue. It’s a phenomenal sight, and it really makes you feel as though you’re appreciated for doing your job.”
Residents were also being asked to lower their flags to half-staff today, which is National Peace Officer Memorial Day, to honor those killed in the line of duty.
“All they’re trying to do is go to work and do their job and do the best they can, and then when we have somebody who unfortunately ambushes – like happened in Euclid – it’s just such a horrible tragedy not only for the immediate family and friends but for the ‘blue’ family, those who worked with the guy, those who knew the guy from other departments.”
A study from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program found that more officers were feloniously killed between 2021 and 2023 than in any other consecutive three-year period in the past two decades.
“Quite frankly, I think folks in the U.S. – and of course across the world but the U.S. especially – they need to stand up and start waving that flag, get a hold of their Senators and Congressmen, and try to get legislation passed that makes this a capital offense.”
Of the 136 line-of-duty deaths reported across the U.S. in 2023, 47 were from gunfire, and at least 21 officers – including Euclid’s Jacob Derbin – have been shot and killed in the line of duty so far this year.