[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1208-S1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



           Honoring Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, this month, Ohio laid to rest two 
remarkable public servants, Westerville Police

[[Page S1209]]

Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli. Together, these men 
dedicated decades of their lives to the police force, giving the 
ultimate sacrifice to keep their fellow Ohioans safe.
  Officer Joering and Officer Morelli were doing their jobs, responding 
to a desperate 9-1-1 call when they were tragically shot and killed 
earlier this month. In the days since their passing, we have heard 
stories of their incredible service to their community, their fellow 
officers, and their families.
  Both men were married with children. Officer Joering was 39 and had 
three young daughters. His pastor, Reverend Hammond, spoke to the local 
news about Officer Joering's dedication to his family. He said that 
Officer Joering would do anything for his daughters. He let them style 
his hair. He let them paint his nails. Reverend Hammond quipped: ``I 
heard he drew the line at makeup.''
  Officer Morelli was a 30-year veteran of the Westerville police 
force. Westerville is a Columbus suburb. He had two children. His 
daughter is getting married this summer. His colleagues remembered his 
infectious smile and his passion for life. Westerville Police Chaplain 
James Meacham said Officer Morelli ``went to heaven and partied.''
  These two heroes were laid to rest 10 days ago with services at St. 
Paul Catholic Church in Westerville, drawing thousands of Ohioans and 
fellow officers to pay their respects. Thousands of people waited in 
line in the cold and rain to enter the church. Officers from around the 
country came to honor these men, as they so often do. The church 
parking lot filled with patrol cars from Illinois, Texas, West 
Virginia, Michigan, and so many other States. They had to use a TV at a 
gym next door as an overflow room to accommodate everyone. After the 
services, a long procession of police vehicles wound its way through 
Westerville. Ohioans lined the streets, waving American flags and 
wearing blue ribbons pinned to their raincoats.
  The tribute to these officers won't end with that memorial service. 
In times of tragedy, Ohioans always rise to the occasion. A donation 
page for the families set up by the local Fraternal Order of Police has 
raised more than half a million dollars. The city of Westerville will 
honor Officers Morelli and Joering with a permanent memorial in First 
Responders Park. The Westerville City Council voted unanimously to 
retire Officer Joering's K-9 partner, Officer Sam, and send him home 
with Officer Joering's family. They were there last week to take Sam 
home. One of Joering's daughters wore Sam's badge around her neck. 
Otterbein University, the local 4-year, private, distinguished 
university very nearby, will offer full-tuition scholarships to each of 
the three Joering girls.
  While none of these gestures can ever repay them or their loved ones 
for their service and sacrifice, today we honor these heroes' memories 
and lift up the entire Westerville community and all those who knew 
them.
  The best way for the public to honor these public servants is by 
supporting all Ohio officers and working to give law enforcement the 
resources they need to do their jobs. From the bipartisan legislation 
we passed last year to speed up claims processing for the families of 
fallen officers, to getting local police officers the resources they 
need to protect themselves as they fight the opioid epidemic, we must 
do all we can to support these women and men who sacrifice so much.
  Let's honor the memory of Officer Joering and Officer Morelli by 
recommitting ourselves to protecting and supporting their fellow 
officers and the families who sacrifice alongside them.