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U.S. NEWS Saturday 17 February 2018

Slain officers remembered as heroes who helped community

By ANDREW HUGGINS three young daughters.
Associated Press His pastor, the Rev. Kyle
WESTERVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Hammond of Adventure
Two veteran officers shot Church in Lewis Center,
and killed while responding said Joering would do any-
to a 911 hang-up were true thing for his family, includ-
heroes because they spent ing allowing his girls to style
their lives working for oth- his hair and paint his nails.
ers and their community, a “I heard he drew the line at
police chief told mourners makeup,” Hammond said.
Friday. Morelli was a 30-year vet-
Hundreds of officers and eran with two children, in-
deputies in blue and black cluding a daughter who
uniforms from around the is planning a wedding this
country crowded into a summer.
church for the officers' fu- Westerville police chaplain
neral. Many watched the James Meacham said Mo-
services on television in an relli was always smiling and
overflow gymnasium next remembered how much
door. he enjoyed life.
Officers Eric Joering, 39, “He went to heaven and
and Anthony Morelli, 54, partied,” Meacham said.
were fatally shot last Satur- After the services, a pro-
day after entering a town- cession of police vehicles
home while responding to Bob Votruba, right, and his nephew Mason Miller, 13, stand outside of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic stretching for several miles
a domestic dispute. They Church in in Westerville, Ohio, before the start of funeral services for Westerville police officers slowly made their way
returned fire, wounding Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering at the church Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. The two veteran officers were through the city’s streets
30-year-old Quentin Smith. shot after entering a residence early Saturday afternoon. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) lined with people waving
Smith, who has been American flags and wear-
charged with aggravated a pair of flag-draped cas- for a moment. were heroes long before ing blue ribbons in support
murder, remains hospital- kets inside St. Paul Catho- Republican Gov. John Ka- last weekend. of the officers.
ized and is expected to lic Church in Westerville, a sich and his wife, Karen, at- "It wasn't this event and it One of the hundreds who
survive. He hasn't had a suburb of Columbus. tended the services, sitting wasn't this day," the police waited in the cold and
hearing yet and it's unclear A uniformed officer walked near the altar with other chief said. "It was their en- rain to enter the church for
if an attorney has been ap- Joering's police dog in front state leaders. The Kasichs tire lives." the viewing was Zach You-
pointed. of his casket. The officer sa- live in a nearby township. Both men were married mans, 24, of Westerville, a
Before the services began luted while the dog turned Westerville police chief Joe with children. Joering, a 16- friend of Morelli’s son, Chris.
Friday, mourners filed past and sat facing the coffin Morbitzer said both officers year police veteran, had q

Inmates who clapped for cop death suspect may face reprisals

By DON BABWIN being led past a crowded while they are in custody. The video could be a "fac- ment to express those feel-
Associated Press holding cell on Thursday The jail also is forwarding tor of aggravation" consid- ings and it is a violation of
CHICAGO (AP) — Five after his first court appear- to prosecutors the video ered by a judge in sentenc- their rights as citizens to
Cook County Jail inmates ance. The inmates were in and reports of the incident ing. penalize them or consider
who applauded as the the holding cell awaiting Thursday afternoon so they But Steve Greenberg, a that as aggravation," said
man charged with the fatal action on their cases. Leg- can use the information if prominent Chicago de- Greenberg, who is not rep-
shooting of a Chicago po- ghette is charged with first- the inmates are convicted, fense attorney, said there is resenting any of the men.
lice commander was led degree murder in Tuesday's she said. no way the inmates should The video was taken mo-
by their cell could face re- shooting death of Com- "The conduct that those be penalized for what he ments after the 44-year-old
prisals for their actions, a jail mander Paul Bauer. detainees engaged in was said is a clear exercise of Legghette appeared in
official said Friday. She said the five inmates disgraceful... and speaks to their right to free speech. court on charges of first-de-
Cara Smith, the chief policy were transferred overnight their character," Smith said. "These inmates ... no matter gree murder of a peace of-
officer for Sheriff Tom Dart, from Chicago to a jail in "We feel it should be con- how vile or disgusting you ficer, armed violence, un-
said a security video shows southern Illinois, where it will sidered by prosecutors in may think their expression lawful use of a weapon by
them clapping as suspect be more difficult for fam- connection with their sen- is, they have an absolute a felon and possession of a
Shomari Legghette was ily and friends to visit them tencing." right under the First Amend- controlled substance.q