Fallen MPD Officer Peter Jerving honored at Memorial Day ceremony

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Fallen Milwaukee Police Department Officer Peter Jerving was honored this Memorial Day with a special tribute at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield.

On Monday, Patty and Doug Jerving gave a speech in front of a crowd to honor their son, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Feb. 7, 2023, while attempting to arrest a suspect involved in a robbery.

Family members were spotted wearing matching "End of Watch" shirts and buttons in Jerving's honor. Many shed tears as they remembered one of their own who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending his community.

"They’re trained very well, they know what to do, but they have to love the people that they serve to protect, and Peter did; he had a lot of compassion," said Patty Jerving, Peter Jerving's mother.

Patty Jerving said support from the community has truly been unbelievable -- a reminder that her son was loved by so many people.

Close to 500 American flags were placed around the cemetery in honor of veterans, first responders and police officers.

Peter Jerving's 10-year-old niece, Caitlyn Twito, told CBS 58 that it's been hard losing one of her favorite people.

"My uncle, he was very funny," she said. "He was the best uncle I could ever have and now that he's not here anymore...it's very different now."

For so many families who mourn the loss of a loved one, they too, stand tall in solidarity knowing they're gone but never forgotten.

"The funny thing about heroes is that they're the very least likely ones to call themselves that," added Doug Jerving.