MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department held its semi-annual Merit Awards Ceremony on Wednesday night.
The awards honor members of the department and the community, who put their lives on the line to keep the city safe.
One of those honored was Officer Peter Jerving. He died in the line of duty last February while trying to arrest a robbery suspect. His family was at the event to receive the Medal of Valor for him.
Peter Jerving’s mother, Patty, said her son would have been proud to receive the award and was dedicated to protecting and serving the community.
“I think he deserves the awards that they are giving him, and I’m very grateful for them. I’d rather have Peter than all those awards and medals, but I know he would be proud of them,” said Patty Jerving.
Captain Bradley Schlei was Peter Jerving’s captain at Milwaukee’s 4th District Police Station. He said Peter Jerving was funny, had a big heart and was committed to being a police officer.
Schlei was also honored at the event. He received the Chief’s Superior Leadership Award. Schlei said he shares the award with his entire team, who have paved a road of healing.
“It’s a long road, but it’s the beginning of the road, this ceremony and honoring Peter in a way that we best can, this is important to us and to have the family with us by our side as we are by their side,” said Schlei.
The gesture means a lot to Patty Jerving and her family. She said that in the midst of heartache, she knows that she and her husband, Douglas, brought their son up to be the best version of himself.
“His dad and I taught him to think of others and put others first and his very last deed proved that he was listening to us,” she said.
