MILWAUKEE — There were many emotional moments at the Milwaukee County War Memorial on Thursday, as 19 different local, county and state law enforcement agencies came together for the Greater Milwaukee Law Enforcement Ceremony.
Three Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) officers — Matthew Rittner, Peter Jerving and Michael Draeger — were honored during the ceremony. DCI special agent Jay Balchunas and deputy sheriff Howard Grundman were also honored.
Peter Jerving’s father, Douglas Jerving, said taking part in the ceremony tore him apart, but he considers it his duty to always honor his son.
“It’s something for me, despite the reticence, I know that I have to do this, or I do it out of my own heart for the love of my son,” said Douglas Jerving.
Peter Jerving was killed pursuing a robbery suspect in Feb. 2023. Douglas Jerving said every time he hears about an officer being injured or killed, it brings him back to the day he lost his son.
“Any one of these guys, they get out of their house, they leave wives, family, husbands, many times and go out on that beat and they don’t know if they are coming back and their families don’t know,” said Douglas Jerving.
Milwaukee police chief Jeffrey Norman said the families of fallen officers need to know that they’re never alone.
“We support one another; we understand that no officer is in the community doing the work that we do without the support of family and friends and understand that we are all connected together,” said Norman.
Douglas Jerving said he hopes the community will keep the fallen officers and their families in their thoughts or prayers.
“Maybe the most important thing that people can do is just say a silent prayer. You hear that siren outside your house, take five seconds to say, ‘God be with them,’” said Douglas Jerving.