AVON – From those who had only to walk out their front door to those who drove from Lorain, people began gathering late Saturday morning near the entrance of Resthaven Memorial Garden with one common message: thank you.

Close to three dozen cars were parked along state Route 83 between Hanamar Drive and Riegelsberger Road. The first ones to arrive were Laura and Nick Cajda of Lorain sometime around 10 a.m.

“We had to come pay our respects,” Laura Cajda said. “Not only to (Officer James Kerstetter), but the other officers, too.”

Jeannie Swindell and Jennifer Ulichzny, both of Elyria, arrived shortly afterward.

“It’s pretty awesome the way people are showing their respect and supporting the family,” Swindell said. “And to see officers come from all over the state, and the country, you see that this isn’t just a local thing.”

Members of Avon Boy Scout Troop 333 of Avon – 14-year-old Sam Brady, 16-year-old Ben Yaggie, 15-year-old Justin Quisenberry and 15-year-old Jay Akeuhas – served as color guard just inside Resthaven.

Danielle Rodgers of Elyria brought a banner saying “RIP Officer Kerstetter” and used tall stakes to make it a sign the family and police would see as they turned from Route 83 into Resthaven. Her husband, Pat, is friends with many police officers, she said, and that hit home for her when Kerstetter died.

Several people brought their children to watch the procession. Jennifer Fortney of Lorain brought her daughter Mikayla, 11, and McKenzie Taylor, 12, to watch.

“It shows the ultimate cost he was willing to pay to protect us,” Fortney said. “That is a great honor he gave us.”

Karen Brady of Avon brought her 11-year-old son, Joey.

“It’s important for the kids to know how much one life can mean to the world,” she said. “One person can make a difference.”

But Joey didn’t get to see the procession. Shortly before it arrived, he crossed Route 83 and walked into the side of a passing car.

“I saw him run across and his mother yell, ‘No!’ for him to stop, then he ran into the front fender,” said Ron Steiger of Avon, who was there with his wife, Melissa. “He’s lucky. One second difference and that car would’ve hit him straight on.”

Cleveland police Officer John Thomas, who was on hand for the burial, rushed to assist. An Avon ambulance that was at Resthaven took Joey away.

Karen Brady said Saturday evening that Joey only suffered a sprained or bruised ankle.

“An angel was watching out for him today,” she said. “As one of the police said, no way would Officer Kerstetter let anyone get hurt today.”

Shortly after 1 p.m., the procession arrived. People watched quietly, holding up their signs and waving flags. Members of the Kerstetter family waved from the limousines as they passed.

One Avon police officer, driving in the procession, waved back and called out, “Thanks for showing up.”

Contact Melissa Hebert at 329-7129 or mhebert@chroniclet.com.

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