COLUMBUS – The schools in Westerville will be closed Friday for the funeral services for two police officers killed over the weekend.
CORRECTION: This article was edited to correct an error in the headline which stated the funerals were Thursday.
“To respect the solemnity of the day’s events as our community honors its fallen heroes, we have confirmed that the timing of these activities, most notably the funeral procession, will severely hamper our ability to transport students to and from school in a timely manner,” district Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg said in a statement posted on the district’s website.
Services for Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli
Friday, Feb. 16
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 313 N. State St.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 – Public viewing (Westerville Police request arrivals no earlier than 9:30 a.m.)
12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Fraternal Order of Police service
1:00 p.m. Funeral service (City of Westerville will livestream the service)
-Source: Fraternal Order of Police/City of Westerville
A procession through the city will follow the funeral. The city will livestream Friday’s services.
The two veteran officers were shot after entering a residence early Saturday afternoon. The officers returned fire, wounding 30-year-old Quentin Smith.
A charity founded in honor of a New York firefighter who died on 9/11 says it will pay off the mortgage of Officer Eric Joering in full and will reach out to the family of Anthony Morelli to see how to help with their housing needs.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, founded to honor firefighter Stephen Siller, has assisted many families of fallen first responders with children 14 and younger including paying off mortgages.
Fundraising dinners have been planned at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouses in three states to benefit the officers’ families. On March 4, 100 percent of the purchases at Ruby’s Steakhouses in Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Nashville between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. will go to a fund set up in the names of the families.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has ordered the man accused of supplying the gun used in the shooting to remain in jail without bond.
Federal prosecutors say Gerald Lawson, of suburban Cleveland, bought the handgun for Smith last summer.
A criminal complaint filed against Lawson in federal court says Smith gave Lawson the money to buy the gun along with $100 for completing the transaction.
Federal Magistrate Judge Kimberly Jolson on Wednesday ordered continued detention for the 30-year-old Lawson.
Court records do not list an attorney for Lawson. He has not yet been required to enter a plea.
As a felon, previously convicted of burglary, Smith was prevented from having a weapon.