Honoring

Police Officer Tim Unwin

Springfield Township Police Department, Ohio

EOW: March 31, 2023 | Age: 31 | Tour: 9 years

Police Officer Tim Unwin was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Centerridge Avenue in North College Hill. He was responding to an "officer needs assistance" call when his patrol car collided with another vehicle shortly after midnight. Officers from multiple jurisdictions were responding to the call when the crash occurred. The driver of the other vehicle was also killed in the crash. Officer Unwin had served with the Springfield Township Police Department for two years. He had previously served with the Hamilton Police Department for two years and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for five years.

Honoring

EMT / Volunteer Firefighter & Chaplain Jay Miles

Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance, PA | Pennsburg Volunteer Fire Company, PA

EOW: April 1, 2023 | Age: 69 | Tour: 30 years

Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance EMT Jay Miles died Saturday after suffering a severe hemorrhagic stroke while responding to a call on March 13, the agency announced. The stroke occurred after Miles and Paramedic Kevin Bennett loaded the patient onto a litter. Bennett rendered aid and called the dispatch center to request additional crews. Two ambulance services, a fire department and UPVA’s chief responded. Miles was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, where he underwent surgery immediately. He succumbed to his injury on Saturday. Miles also served with Merck EMS, and as a firefighter with the Pennsburg Volunteer Fire Company, where he was a chaplain. “This is a tremendous loss to the community. For all the lives he's touched, inspired and cared for throughout the years. We'll miss your smile, laugh, compassion, care and your stories. Fish for the big one and we'll meet again someday" UPVA wrote in a Facebook post. The fire department described what Miles meant to people. “Jay became chaplain at Pennsburg in 1993, serving Pennsburg and surrounding companies. Jay was a firefighter, driver, EMT, board member and life member. Jay you will be missed severely by all who came in contact with you.” Jay is survived by his wife, Victoria; daughters, Crystal (David) and Amanda (William); grandchildren, Alyssa, Adriana, Luca, Adaline, and Kylan; and his brother, Daniel Miles (Shirley).

Honoring

Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper

Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana

EOW: April 2, 2023 | Age: 44 | Tour: 24.6 years

Detective Sergeant Nick Pepper was killed when his vehicle was intentionally rammed by a suspect during a vehicle pursuit on Louisiana Highway 1, near Kleinpeter Road, in Thibodaux at about 4:00 am. Deputies were assisting the Houma Police Department after officers attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation. Officers and deputies pursued the vehicle until it stopped near Lafourche Crossing. As officers issued commands to the subject, the man suddenly accelerated and intentionally drove into Sergeant Pepper's car. Sergeant Pepper was transported to Thibodaux Regional Health System where he succumbed to his injuries. The subject was arrested and charged. Sergeant Pepper had served with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office for 15-1/2 years and had served in law enforcement for 24 years. He had previously served with the Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and son.

Honoring

EMT Susan Giovanniello

Glen Cove Volunteer EMS Corps, NY

EOW: April 3, 2023 | Age: 19 | Tour: 1 year

The Glen Cove (New York) Volunteer EMS Corps has announced the line-of-duty death of 19-year-old EMT Susan Giovanniello. According to FirefighterCloseCalls.com, Giovanniello died after suffering a medical emergency following her shift that ran Saturday evening until Sunday morning. “EMT Giovanniello proudly served as a volunteer responding to many emergency calls throughout the City of Glen Cove, rising up from Glen Cove EMS Explorer Post 1072 to a caring professional who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our community,” the announcement noted. “Susan, with her contagious smile and demeanor, put forth calm in stressful situations as it related to patient care. Her enthusiasm for training and teamwork with the Corps will be greatly missed; she is a hero and will live on in our hearts forever.” Giovanniello is survived by her parents, Lou and Julie; siblings, Jessica and Michael; grandparents, Anna Giovanniello and Vincenzo Viselli; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Honoring

Firefighter/EMT Jermaine A. Pelt

Chicago Fire Department, IL

EOW: April 4, 2023 | Age: 49 | Tour: 18 years

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the Chicago Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 120th and Wallace Street. During the fire attack, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a mayday was called. Firefighter/EMT Jermaine A. Pelt was located by his hose line at about 4:10 a.m. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away a short time later. Pelt also served more than one community. He was a Chicago firefighter of 18 years, but he was also an EMT, instructor at the Fire Academy, and a nurse. In addition, Pelt was a boxer and a real estate entrepreneur – and his family said he loved to travel. He was also the most loyal friend. "What and incredible lesson Jermaine has taught us all by how he lived," said International Association of Fire Fighters President Ed Kelly. Pelt was remembered for his heart, his smile, and his dedication to service. The husband, son, brother, and father of two leaves behind an adoring family – including a 6-year-old son Jared, and a daughter, Jorie, whom he had just walked down the aisle.

Honoring

Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk

Chicago Fire Department, IL

EOW: April 5, 2023 | Age: 55 | Tour: 26 years

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at a high-rise building on Lake Shore Drive. While heading down the stairway departing the fire floor, Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk collapsed. He was immediately treated by crews on the scene and transported to the hospital where he passed away a short time later. The cause of death has yet to be determined. His casket, draped in the American flag, was carried by Ladder 10, the truck on which he served to St. Joseph Ukrainian Church. His wife Natalia followed just steps behind. "I will miss being able to see the way his face lit up when he talked about her and how he hoped to be able to split his time between here and Ukraine," his niece Laryssa Osyka said at his funeral. Tchoryk leaves behind his wife, his son, two daughters and a stepdaughter, along with his three sisters and his brother.

Honoring

Police Officer Hunter Timothy Scheel

Cameron Police Department, Wisconsin

EOW: April 8, 2023 | Age: 23 | Tour: 1 year

Police Officer Hunter Scheel and Police Officer Emily Breidenbach of the Chetek Police Department were shot and killed during a traffic stop at Wisconsin Highway SS and 13th Avenue in the Village of Cameron at 3:38 pm. Officer Scheel and Officer Breidenbach pulled over a vehicle for a warrant and welfare check on the driver. The subject was armed, and gunfire was exchanged. Officer Scheel and Officer Breidenbach succumbed to their wounds at the scene. The subject was transported to the hospital where he died. Officer Scheel was a United States Army National Guard veteran and served with the Cameron Police Department for one year. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, father, and three sisters.

Honoring

Police Officer Emily Ann Breidenbach

Chetek Police Department, Wisconsin

EOW: April 8, 2023 | Age: 32 | Tour: 4.10 years

Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Police Officer Hunter Scheel of the Cameron Police Department were shot and killed during a traffic stop at Wisconsin Highway SS and 13th Avenue in the Village of Cameron at 3:38 pm. Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel pulled over a vehicle for a warrant and welfare check on the driver. The subject was armed, and gunfire was exchanged. Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel succumbed to their wounds at the scene. The subject was transported to the hospital where he died. Officer Breidenbach had served with the Chetek Police Department for over four years and previously served with the Stoughton Police Department. She is survived by her parents, brother, her fiancé, and his four children. Her father was the Chief of Police for the Pardeeville Police Department.

Honoring

Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney

New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana

EOW: April 9, 2023 | Age: 34 | Tour: 7 years

Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney succumbed to complications from a gunshot wound sustained on October 30th, 2020. He and his partner were stopped at the intersection of St. Philip Street and Royal Street when a passenger in a passing pedicab opened fire on them without provocation. Officer Abney was struck in the left side of his face, and his partner suffered cuts to his arm from the shattered windshield. The subject was apprehended after a foot chase through the French Quarter. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer following the initial shooting. Officer Abney was transported to the University Medical Center New Orleans where life-saving measures were performed. Doctors were unable to remove the bullet, which remained lodged in his brain and blinded him in the left eye. He succumbed to complications of the wound on April 9th, 2023. Officer Abney was a United States Army Iraq War veteran and had served with the New Orleans Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and parents.

Honoring

Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Cornelius Duivenvoorde

Sussex Fire Department, NJ

EOW: April 12, 2023 | Age: 62 | Tour: Unknown

On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Cornelius Duivenvoorde responded to two emergency calls; the last response was a fire at a diner. After extinguishment, he returned to the station and went home. At approximately 8:30 p.m. that evening, he was found deceased from an apparent heart attack. Above all else, Tony was a well-known figure in the community, often putting himself before others and always willing to offer a helping hand to whoever asked. Tony is the beloved husband for 30 years of Laura Duivenvoorde(nee Angeles) of Wantage Twp., NJ, devoted father of Anthony Duivenvoorde of Philadelphia, PA, dear brother of Peter Duivenvoorde and his wife, Lori of Sparta, NJ and Marla Donald of Matamoras, PA, cherished uncle of Mackenzie Donald.

Honoring

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson

Nyssa Police Department, Oregon

EOW: April 15, 2023 | Age: 43 | Tour: 16 years

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson was shot and killed near the intersection of North Third Street and Locust Avenue following while making a traffic stop at about 8:20 pm. He was responding to reports of a violent man damaging property at a home and threatening its occupants. During the response, he encountered the suspect driving away and conducted a traffic stop. The subject immediately exited his car and opened fire, fatally wounding Reserve Corporal Johnson before he had a chance to return fire. The subject abandoned his vehicle, fled the scene, and remains at large. Reserve Corporal Johnson had served with the Nyssa Police Department for almost five years. He had also served as a corrections officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years and currently worked as a civilian employee for the agency. Nyssa Police Chief Don Ballou wrote in a Facebook post that the department was working closely with the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation to provide assistance to Johnson's family. He said the shooting “sent a shockwave through our loving community.” “I do not have the words to describe a loss of this magnitude; the loss of of one of Nyssa’s finest, dedicated and most humble servants, Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson,” he wrote. Johnson is survived by a wife and two children.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen

Pope County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota

EOW: April 15, 2023 | Age: 44 | Tour: 12 years

Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to arrest a man for domestic violence in the 400 block of Stromen Street in Cyrus at about 7:30 pm. Deputies, as well as police officers from the Glenwood Police Department and Starbuck Police Department, had been dispatched to the house for reports of a domestic violence incident. The officers were attempting to place the man into custody when he opened fire on them. Deputy Owen and the subject were both fatally wounded. The other deputy and the Starbuck officer were injured. The incident occurred on Deputy Owen's 44th birthday. Deputy Owen was a Minnesota National Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Pope County Sheriff's Office for almost 12 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and parents. His father is a retired law enforcement officer.