BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) – Dawn Derbin is honoring her son\u2019s life of service to others and what would have been his 26th birthday through a donation to Brooklyn Heights Police Department\u2019s new K-9 unit. <\/p>\n
Fallen Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin dreamed of one day becoming a K-9 officer. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d Dawn said.<\/p>\n
Jacob\u2019s grandfather served on the village\u2019s police department for 27 years. Dawn served 15 years as a firefighter and paramedic in the community. <\/p>\n
She said Jacob looked up to his \u201cPapa\u201d as his hero, hoping to grow up to proudly wear the badge.<\/p>\n
\u201cJacob watched and grew up to learn service and he was built on that,\u201d Dawn said.<\/p>\n
Mayor Mike Procuk said the village has been working to create a K-9 unit and was accepting donations to get it started.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe said she\u2019d like to make the initial donation the full cost to purchase the puppy. We were very excited to accommodate her with that request,\u201d Procuk said.<\/p>\n
The village\u2019s Police Chief Chris Leahy said this K-9 will help make the community safer.<\/p>\n
\u201cA community relations dog along with the work aspect. We\u2019re going to expect it be able to track missing people, be able to track suspects, sniff narcotics,\u201d Leahy said.<\/p>\n
Jacob served with his heart and soul and through this gift that legacy will live on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never wanted his story to end but you don\u2019t want your child\u2019s story to end so this is a way to continue his story,\u201d Dawn said.<\/p>\n