Early this morning, local and police and law enforcement from counties all over the state gathered for a trip to the funerals of the two Westerville officers who were shot and killed last week. According to an article by Dayton Daily News, the law enforcement all met at the Dayton Airport Expo Center with a convoy organized by the Miami County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.Dayton police Lt. Mark Ponichtera told DDN, “We realize it could be any one of us at any time and so no matter who’s in the car traveling, we realize that could be any of us. Any call that we go on is extremely dangerous if someone is bent on criminal intent towards a police officer.”Roads and schools were closed as law enforcement officers and their families flocked from all over the country to pay their respects to their fallen brothers.“Patrol cars from Louisiana, Illinois, Texas, West Virginia, Michigan and many other states filled the church parking lot. Matthew Pfau, 27, an honor guard member with the University of Maryland-College Park police department, said the overwhelming show of support for police was the biggest he had seen,” reported Fox 8 of Cleveland.Governor Kasich and his wife attended the services for the two officers.Officers Anthony Morelli, 54, and Eric Joering, 39, were shot and killed while responding to a 911 hang-up call in Westerville, OH, just outside of Columbus on Saturday, Feb. 10. “We are deeply saddened to report that one of our officers has been killed in the line of duty. Please continue to follow back for more information,” the Westerville Police tweeted. Not long after, the second officer passed away due to his injuries.
