MILWAUKEE — After an incredibly difficult week following the loss of one of their own, Milwaukee Police Department officers received an uplifting surprise.
Milwaukee-based Palermo’s Pizza offered two free frozen pizzas to each of the more than 1,600 sworn and 450 civilian members of the department.
MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said the gesture is just one of many they’ve received since the death of officer Peter Jerving on Feb. 7.
He said he’s thankful for the support.
“Knowing the tragedy that we had recently in regards to our lost and fallen brother, knowing that there is this type of support that’s coming from our Milwaukee community means so much to us, especially as we’re going through our grieving period and dealing with the healing process,” he said.
But Norman said it’s not just the department that’s dealing with the loss.
“We all have to remember, in regards to these type of tragedies, it’s more than just the membership dealing with the harm and hurt. It’s also their families,” he said. “So this is a great way to be able to have some bonding moments.”
Fundraising efforts have continued to pop up following Jerving’s death, including a GoFundMe for his long-time partner Megan Bradley and a Milwaukee Police Union event at 3rd Street Market Hall on Feb. 20, among others.