MILWAUKEE — Employees from Western States came together on Wednesday night in memory of fallen Milwaukee Police Officer Peter Jerving.
The Butler-based company presented Milwaukee’s 4th District Police Department with $4,200.
The money will go towards the transportation costs to Washington D.C. for the Jerving family and 4th District officers. They’ll be traveling there in May during National Police Week, where Jerving’s name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Western States is where Jerving worked for about 13 years before joining the Police Academy.
Elizabeth Varga was one of his co-workers. She said the company wanted to do something to honor his memory and his fellow officers.
“It is pretty important that people understand that the police are here to protect us, and that’s what Peter was doing that night when he went out on call. And so for all of us at Western State, we remember him fondly and it’s just bringing awareness to all that the police do for our community,” said Varga.
Varga said the company raised the money by hosting a bake sale and raffle.
A representative from the Milwaukee Police Association’s Fallen Heroes Inc. said they are also trying to raise about $90,000 to send the Jerving family, the 4th District Police Department and other Milwaukee Police officers to Washington D.C.
Jerving’s parents, Patty and Douglas Jerving, were in attendance on Wednesday. Patty Jerving said Peter loved his co-workers at Western States and would be very touched by the gesture.
“They all came to his graduation when he graduated from the Police Academy, and they were just so proud of him,” said Patty Jerving.
To donate to the fund, you can visit the Fallen Heroes website.