Teachers vs. Cops: 2nd annual kickball game in honor of fallen Officer Peter Jerving

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police District 4 members had a face off against teachers from Rocketship Elementary School in a friendly game of kickball Thursday, honoring fallen Officer Peter Jerving.

"He always had a smile on his face and always said 'I got you Cap,' so we're excited to do this on his honor today," said MPD District 4 Captain Brad Schlei.

Officer Peter Jerving was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 7 attempting to arrest a suspect involved in a robbery.

"I've had a great time; I've been running around to the students yelling 'go D4 cops!' and they shout me down every time," said Patty Jerving, the fallen officers' mother.

This time last year, Jerving played in the same field for the first kickball game. His mother and sister Becky Twito Jerving were in attendance this time around in his honor. Twito told CBS 58 she stepped up to the plate and joined the MPD team after an officer was unable to come.

"Big shoes, yes, I can't play like Pete, no way, no way how," she said.

But she did indeed, MPD winning a score of 6 to 2.

Captain Schlei said this partnership is important.

"Every single contact that we have with a community member or a community group or at any age can make a difference between building a relationship or destroying a relationship," he said.

The community is hoping to keep this annual event alive. Law enforcement also wants to show that they are involved in their community.

"Our Black and brown students are able to see police as partners, as supporters, as helpers," said Kadeem Gill, the executive director at Rocketship Transformation Prep.

Gill said that the school is more than just an elementary, it's a community center; and it's important to show kids not to be afraid of those who are meant to protect them.

"At the end of the day, right, police are here to serve," Gill said. "But it makes it hard for them to serve if the narrative is based in fear, right, if the narrative is based in conflict rather than in collaboration and coordination."