Euclid’s officer Jacob Derbin recalled

Ed Gallek and Peggy Gallek

5 minutes ago

CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – A massive funeral procession was captured Saturday as Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin was laid to rest, and the I-Team found untold stories about him.

At the beginning of the procession, we noticed something you don’t normally see in an officer killed in the line of duty.

White pickup truck.

But Officer Derbin was one of a kind. Even his last farewell was special. Jacob’s fiancé was driving his white pickup truck. He loved his truck. And he had his own love story when he planned to get married.

However, he was taken away at the age of 23. Police say the gunman attacked him while he was responding to a call about a domestic disturbance. Investigators say the gunman later took his own life.

As Jacob’s bosses noticed, he already knew in high school that he wanted to become a police officer. The photo shows him playing football wearing a bandana with an American flag and a thin blue line to honor the police.

Euclid Police Capt. Mitch Houser said, “I thought this kid was in high school and knew exactly what he wanted and where he was going.”

Jacob Derbin came from a family of law enforcement officers. This week his mother talked about Jacob when he was a little boy with his grandfather.

Dawn Derbin said: “My son idolized my dad, who was a police officer for 27 years.”

She added: “His dream was to become a police officer.”

Of course, the death of officer Derbin was marked by a great funeral. However, we learned that his death even affected people all over the world.

Euclid’s police chief says he received an email from someone in South Africa. Somehow the woman there saw the report of what happened. She sent an email stating that Officer Derbin reminded her of a loved one in her family.

But the impact of the loss of Officer Derbin is felt most acutely here in Northeast Ohio. And strangers lined the streets to watch and pay their respects.

One of the women parted ways, saying, “They just do so much. They bet… They put their lives at risk…”

Another witness said: “It’s important that people stand up for this.”

However, another said: “I decided to come here yesterday and today to support the community.”

And finally the witness said, “And we’re just here to show our love.”

Jacob Derbin loved his truck, loved his family and much more. He died doing what he loved – protecting and serving.