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Hundreds turn out for funeral for patrolman killed in traffic
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Jan 25, 2009
HUDSON: As snow clouded the roads Saturday morning, a stream of flashing lights could be seen from a 30-car procession of police and fire vehicles riding silently down Olde Eight Road.
Safety workers from departments around the area followed the hearse carrying the body of Hudson patrolman Jarod M. Dean.
The slow pace took the procession from the Fortuna Funeral Home in Independence to St. Mary's Church in Hudson.
Dean, a 24-year-old Boston Heights police officer, was killed Monday when he was struck by a truck on state Route 8 while cleaning debris from an earlier accident.
Traffic came to a standstill Saturday as Peninsula police cruisers blocked roadways so the fleet of vehicles could drive down the main roads on the route.
A Macedonia fire engine and firefighters stood at one intersection to honor the fallen police officer. On another corner, Northfield Village firefighters were stationed with their fire engine parked on the street.
By the time the body of officer Dean arrived at the church, nearly 500 uniformed officers stood in formation to pay final respects.
The officers came from surrounding communities in Summit, Portage, Cuyahoga, Medina and Wayne counties. There were also special units from New York City and Washington, D.C.
Color guards, the Cleveland Pipes and Drum Corps and Summit County sheriff's deputies mounted on horses helped to set the welcome scene.
The seating capacity of the church is 950 and most of the seats were filled with mourners. More than half of those present were in police uniform.
The Rev. Michael Surufka said he was not surprised that Jarod Dean sought a career in law enforcement.
Dean had been a police officer for 21/2 years and came to the Boston Heights department last August. He was one of 15 officers in the department. He had previously been an officer for Waynesburg police in Stark County and Windham police in
Portage County.
''You see the words on so many police cars, 'to serve and protect.' Even as a youngster Jarod loved to serve,'' Surufka said. ''He was the altar boy who was always on time, never missed his assigned day, was ready to fill in when someone didn't show up and always asked if there was something else to do.''
Surufka said the measure of a man can't be judged by the time he spends on Earth, but by the quality of time he spends.
Jarod Dean's time was well spent, he said.
''I observed several incidents where Jarod was taking police calls,'' said Boston Heights Mayor Bill Goncy. ''He always displayed professionalism, kindness and compassion. He truly cared about the people he encountered.''
The mayor said it was Dean's concern for others that caused him to stop when he saw debris on the road last Monday.
''He reported the danger,'' Goncy said. ''He was a committed officer. He wanted to make the roadway safer for others. So he parked his cruiser to block the area and removed the threat.''
Goncy told the family that the hearts of the community share in their loss.
Jarod Dean is survived by parents Thomas and Marie Dean, brothers John Dean and Dean Rivera, and sister Carey Ceculski.
Boston Heights Chief Joseph Varga III said Jarod Dean was passionate about his job as a police officer and sought perfection. He was energetic and wanted to know how he could improve.
John Dean, Jarod's older brother and a police officer in Hudson, thanked everyone for their support.
''My brother loved being a police officer,'' he said. ''It was his dream come true. I was so proud of him. I loved him very much.''
Varga recalled receiving the call that no chief ever wants to get: One of his officers was down. Dean is the first officer to die in the line of duty in the Summit County village.
''Although Jarod was only with us a short time, the impact he left on us will last a lifetime,'' he said.
And just like the officers did as they filed into the church, they went out one by one and lined up in formation to give a final salute to their fallen officer.
Dean was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
HUDSON: As snow clouded the roads Saturday morning, a stream of flashing lights could be seen from a 30-car procession of police and fire vehicles riding silently down Olde Eight Road.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 06:37 PM, 01/25/2009
God be with his family during this awful time. Officer Dean thank you for your service.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:21 AM, 01/26/2009
He died doing what he was sworn in to do... protecting others, thank you Mr. Dean.
