Lorain/Elyria, OH
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Services set for slain Elyria police officer
Services have been set for Elyria Police Officer James Kerstetter, who was shot to death Monday night after responding to a call.
The visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Bauer-Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home, 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road, Elyria.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the field house at Lorain [...]
Dad of injured toddler had run-in with mom’s boyfriend
AMHERST — Last month, the father of a 3-year-old who remained in critical condition at a Cleveland hospital on Tuesday and the child’s mother’s boyfriend, who was accused of scalding the boy a year ago, had a confrontation on a city street, police said.
Police on Tuesday released the report describing the dispute involving Peter Jones, [...]
Granny D’s pizzeria murder trial opens
ELYRIA — Neil Simpson didn’t hesitate when he gunned down Granny D’s Pizza owner David Kowalczyk, Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Tony Cillo told jurors Tuesday during opening arguments in Simpson’s capital murder trial.
Simpson walked into the Lorain pizzeria on June 23, 2007, hopped over the counter, pointed a black and gray 9 mm semiautomatic pistol [...]
Chief on Kerstetter: ‘One of the best police officers I know, really one of the best persons I know’
Lisa Roberson and Brad Dicken, The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — A day after his death, those whose paths crossed often with slain Officer James Kerstetter said he’ll be remembered as one of the city’s top cops.
“He was one of the best police officers I know, really one of the best persons I know,” said Elyria Police Chief [...]
Friends, co-workers: Incident out of character for accused shooter
ELYRIA — A man looking to kill an Elyria police officer was not the Ronald Palmer known by friends and neighbors.
Yet police say the 58-year-old man reacted violently when an officer showed up at his home at 326 W. 18th St. That officer was James Kerstetter, who was the first to respond to a 911 [...]
Outpouring of support for fallen officer
The desire to help the family has prompted some offers to donate all or a portion of the profits from various events to help the family of James Kerstetter.
Xtreme Tattoo, 125 Hilliard Road, Elyria, will design a tattoo to honor Kerstetter and donate all proceeds to the memorial fund established for the family.
Band Monkey Call [...]
Police log for March 17, 2010
Elyria police
Sunday, March 14
10:08 a.m. – 300 block Fuller Road, Fuller Road Community Church, air conditioner parts and copper tubing stolen.
5 p.m. – 1000 block Chestnut Commons Drive, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Robert Reed, 18, of Grafton, charged with the theft of a cell phone charger.
County sheriff
Thursday, March 11
2:30 a.m. – 100 block Jerrol Court, Carlisle Township, [...]
UPDATE: Slain officer’s body escorted to funeral home
The body of Elyria police Patrolman James Kerstetter arrived at the Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home on Chestnut Ridge a few minutes ago — escorted by dozens of police officers. He had been taken to Cuyahoga County for an autopsy.
Kerstetter, 43, was gunned down in a West 18th Street home Monday night after police were called about [...]
Makeshift memorial to slain officer outside Elyria police station
Motorists and pedestrians passing by the Elyria Police Department on West Avenue slowed momentarily or glanced over to see the impromptu memorial set up by people wishing to show their sorrow and compassion for slain Elyria Police Officer James A. Kerstetter.
About 10 bouquets of roses, carnations, and other brightly-colored flowers had been left on a [...]
Lorain may lay off 7 firefighters
LORAIN — Seven firefighters will probably be getting pink slips this week after City Council approved a $31.6 million 2010 budget that didn’t include enough money to save those jobs, officials said Monday night.
Council members Anne Molnar, D-at large, and Andy Drwal, D-2nd Ward, were the only dissenting votes.
Molnar’s attempt to transfer $100,000 of the [...]