WIND LAKE, Wis. — An outpouring of support continues for fallen Milwaukee police officer Peter Jerving through volleyball, one of his favorite sports.
Like many in Wisconsin, Kelly Vecites was saddened to hear about his death. However, he didn’t know until this week that Jerving came to his business, Kelly’s Bleachers, in Wind Lake, often.
“Peter was here a week ago on Friday playing and Peter came through our door,” Vecites said. “Peter was also signed up to play this Friday, so when the group asked, it was just our honor to get involved and honor this individual whose life was taken too short.”
Knowing this, Vecites said a fundraiser for Jerving was quickly organized for this past Friday. It brought in hundreds of people to watch and play volleyball, and they received hundreds of donations.
“To get this opportunity to give back to them but saddened that a life was taken, you know, they have served our community for many years, for my family, for my business,” Vecites said. “So to take it a little further and to be able to do something of this nature this quick and that big of an event as it turned out to be, my family is honored to be a part of it.”
Vecites said he was just happy to learn how his business brought joy to Jerving’s life.
“Through the last couple of days, you find out how much Peter enjoyed the sport, how happy Peter was,” he said. “You see the photos with the group. They are photos out on our sand court and they are all smiling, having a good time. They are eating and drinking and just enjoying what they do and enjoying the sport of volleyball.”
The donations from the fundraiser will go directly to Jerving’s family to honor him. For Vecites, it’s all about celebrating a life taken too soon.