BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) – Dawn Derbin is honoring her son’s life of service to others and what would have been his 26th birthday through a donation to Brooklyn Heights Police Department’s new K-9 unit.
Fallen Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin dreamed of one day becoming a K-9 officer.
“This is the village that helped raise Jacob, the community that built him into the man he became, and so now that community is supporting his legacy,” Dawn said.
Jacob’s grandfather served on the village’s police department for 27 years. Dawn served 15 years as a firefighter and paramedic in the community.
She said Jacob looked up to his “Papa” as his hero, hoping to grow up to proudly wear the badge.
“Jacob watched and grew up to learn service and he was built on that,” Dawn said.
Mayor Mike Procuk said the village has been working to create a K-9 unit and was accepting donations to get it started.
“She said she’d like to make the initial donation the full cost to purchase the puppy. We were very excited to accommodate her with that request,” Procuk said.
The village’s Police Chief Chris Leahy said this K-9 will help make the community safer.
“A community relations dog along with the work aspect. We’re going to expect it be able to track missing people, be able to track suspects, sniff narcotics,” Leahy said.
Jacob served with his heart and soul and through this gift that legacy will live on.
“I never wanted his story to end but you don’t want your child’s story to end so this is a way to continue his story,” Dawn said.
If you would like to donate to support Brooklyn Heights’ new K-9 unit, you can click on this link.
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