Thank you all for helping us meet our final goal.

This story is based on the best  knowledge I could find by making calls, reading city press releases, and interacting on social media.  Any mistakes are my own.

The story on the front page is the reason I am trying to fundraise...to give these men and women a chance to attend the National Memorial to witness these two heroes and friends honored. 

Before reading further, I want you to understand something.  Yes, I am using GoFundMe as a platform to reach people, but I actually am going to urge you to actually give cash or checks directly to the 501(c)(3) FOP Foundation rather than through GoFundMe.  GoFundMe has its benefits for sure, such as the speed at which you can make your donation.  The reasons I urge you to send to the FOP are twofold.  First, I don't want anyone thinking I am scamming you for money, because this has happened by jerks taking money thinking they are giving to the families of the fallen or the Police. Second, and most importantly, GoFundMe lops off some money off the top of your donation before they send me money that I sign over to the the FOP; if you donate directly, you know where all of your money is going and for what purpose.  

On February 10, 2018, two exemplary Westerville, OH Police Officers were murdered after responding to a repeated domestic violence situation, one of the most dangerous situations a police officer ever encounters.  I have never seen such community outpouring in my life.  An unprecedented 3000-some officers from precincts around the country participated in the motorcade following the joint funeral, with thousands of people lining the sidewalks along the route in freezing weather; there was a memorial set up for weeks around one of the officer's cruiser.  Other spontaneous memorials and vigils seemed to appear and occur weekly.  Fundraisers popped up weekly.

That was last year.  This year, the City of Westerville has provided the money necessary for the officers' travel to and lodging in Washington, D.C. during the National Officers Memorial Week from May 12 to May 18, not an inexpensive endeavor.  It was much easier to raise money when this horrifying event had just happened; a year later, with virtually no publicity or huge group efforts, the awareness and enthusiasm to donate has dramatically waned.  This breaks my heart, as these men and women withstood losing two friends, two brothers, and they are still standing proudly to protect the community.   And they do it well.

The City of Westerville offered a generous contribution, but that now leaves the Westerville community with a new goal, but some of us have run into donation fatigue, or the loss of the feverish sense of loss that the entire city felt in 2018.  Some of us are still mourning, but I am considering looking outward for support from other areas.  

Several in the community are trying to raise an estimated $15,000 to provide for meals and incidentals to make the trip more comfortable for the WPD.  Over a year later, this community still mourns, but no more than the two families and their brothers and sisters in arms and their families.  Please do not allow us to let down these two heroes or those still standing. 

A question was asked of our now-retired Police Chief Joe Morbitzer what the slain officers could have done differently, and his answer was, "They could have not responded."  But these two men, Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering, were not cowards, and they were not going to let a woman and her child be killed by a man who illegally owned a gun as a parolee.   

In later updates, I hope to show you more about Tony, who volunteered his time at the public library to connect with children and walked women (I was one of those lucky ones) to their cars after dark.  Or Eric, with a young family, who was a K-9 Officer and worked with kids, introducing them to his Officer K-9 Sam.  I hope to show you that they were good men, family men, who were and are loved.   Others may offer stories of their own in the comments section so long as they are in the spirit of this page.

Please help us not let down the sacrifices of these men, and now, to not let down those still standing.  Their brothers and sisters in the department deserve to be at the Memorial Week to witness their names on the Memorial Wall and to know that they are properly honored for their ultimate sacrifices.

NOTE:  The ultimate beneficiary of these funds is the FOP Capital City Lodge #9.  For example, when I receive money from GoFundMe, I will immediately send it on to Lodge #9. Again, however, if you can, I urge you to send a check to the "FOP Foundation"  or drop cash off to :

          FOP Capital CIty Lodge #9
          6800 Schrock Hill Ct 
          Columbus, OH 43229 

There are gates outside Lodge #9, so you may want to call them ahead of time at  614-882-4683 if you want to drop off a donation in person or to purchase a $15 #WestervilleStrong commemorative coin that will serve to raise funds.  

Another member close to the police community has spent a great deal of time asking to set up tip jars or other arrangements to raise funds at local Uptown Westerville establishments, such as Westerville Jewelry, The Barrel and Boar, Amish Originals, Meza Wine Shop, Whit’s Ice Cream, Morgan’s Treasures. Uptown EyeCare, Generations, Dancewear Too,  Grand Haven Living, Good Vibes Winery, Yespress, Deja Vu.  My understanding is she also played a role organizing with the FOP Lodge #9 to ultimately manage funds raised.  

This goes to show it is a community effort, as it should be, but it's been an uphill battle.  This is why I would welcome any ideas or people willing to brainstorm or work with me to develop new strategies.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any assistance, support, or ideas you may have to offer.  

Blessings,
Amanda Blust