Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
Crowd shows town pulls together, chief says
By Jim Carney,
Phil Trexler and Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writers
Published on Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
Tallmadge is grieving.
Tallmadge Mayor Christopher Grimm described slain Twinsburg police Officer Joshua Miktarian as ''a Tallmadge kid. He went through the system. Well-liked, respected.''
Word of his death early Sunday sent ''kind of a tremor through the community, as well as through Twinsburg,'' Grimm said.
On Monday night in Twinsburg, Cindy Steele, wife of Twinsburg police Officer Brian Steele, spoke first at a vigil, telling a crowd that swelled to about 1,000 that the observance was a way to assure Miktarian's family that he would not be forgotten and to show ''there is still goodness and kindness and caring in a huge majority of people.'' She told those in the crowd to ''look around you. . . . We are good, caring people here . . . people who value human life.''
Steele, struggling to speak as she wept, said Miktarian ''paid the highest price . . . there are many heroes in this world and in my heart,
Josh, you are one of them.''
Shortly before the vigil began, Twinsburg Police Chief Chris Noga walked through the crowd shaking hands, hugging people. ''Obviously, it's a very difficult time for the Twinsburg Police Department,'' he said. ''But seeing people here to celebrate the life of Josh Miktarian, it's wonderful.
''This turnout shows the community is pulling together in this time of tragedy.''
Michele Pieragostine, a Twinsburg resident, said, Miktarian's death ''makes you realize you take it for granted you're safe and in a split second, a complete stranger can change the lives of so many people.''
Hundreds stood outside Twinsburg City Hall. The crowd spilled over Ravenna Road, which was closed. Many held candles. A procession of police cars and a hearse carrying Miktarian's body drove past City Hall on the way to a funeral home in Tallmadge.
As a Tallmadge High tailback in 1992, Miktarian had returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown against Springfield.
He also worked as a patrolman in Cuyahoga Falls and Uniontown. His wife, Holly, is an officer in Oakwood Village.
They had a daughter named Thea three months ago.
The Miktarian family is known in Akron as the owner of the venerable Joe's All-Star Cafe. The former East Market Street restaurant was started by his grandfather, Joe. Later, his father, Paul, ran the business with uncles Mike and Zobby Miktarian.
In 1998, Josh Miktarian and police officer Doug Porrini opened a pizza shop in Sagamore Hills. He was also a musician.
''I used to always joke with Josh — I was never sure when he slept,'' Twinsburg Prosecutor David Maistros said. ''Because he worked for us midnights, a pizza parlor, he was in a rock band, he trained officers in Uniontown, was a new father. It's unfortunate.''
A concert planned for Tallmadge Circle on Thursday night was canceled because of funeral home visitation.
Visitors may call from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in the Cleveland suburb of Oakwood.
To reach the reporters call 330-996-3700.
Tallmadge is grieving.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
