OFFICER KERSTETTER'S FUNERAL

I have been getting Emails asking when our Photo Gallery from Officer Jim Kerstetter’s Funeral will be posted. I should have explained sooner but we were requested to shoot the funeral on behalf of the family and the Elyria Police Department. With our access we had photographs that were always meant only for the family. With that we had to sort through well over 1,000 photos to make sure only the appropriate photos are displayed in this gallery. I appreciate your understanding and patience.

PHOTO GALLERY

Still to come are photo galleries from Brian Woods & Dan Matos – they will be posted this week.

On Friday night hundreds of people gathered outside of the Elyria Police Station for a candlelight vigil in honor of Officer Kerstetter. The turnout overwhelmed Officers & family members who attended. As Chief Duane Whitley climbed up on a ledge in front of the Station to address the crowd he took a moment and looked around at of the people. A soft “wow” came out of his mouth before he went on to thank the people and to extend the appreciation of the entire department for their outpouring of support.

The number of people attending was so large that West Ave had to be blocked and traffic diverted as people filled the street.

The crowd went silent and tears welled up as Kerstetter’s two oldest daughters exited the Police Station to speak. Chief Whitley knelt down to allow the girls to use his knee and a step to get up on the ledge to speak. The girls thanked the crowd for their support on behalf of their family and their dad. Their speech and appearance were brief as they had to return to the funeral home for calling hours. People in the crowd were, to say the least, impressed by the strength and composure of the two young ladies.


PHOTO GALLERY