Family of Wisconsin police officer who died in gunfight speak at his funeral

The family of a Milwaukee police officer mortally wounded in a shootout with a robbery suspect praised him at his funeral on Monday.

“I miss you,” Peter Jerving’s brother Drew said during a funeral at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield. “And for all those who are now standing guard on Earth in your place, I salute you.”

The 37-year-old officer was mortally wounded in a firefight in the early hours of 7 February. The suspect also died from a gunshot wound, police said.

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The officer’s mother asked God to bless the Milwaukee cops and their families and asked them to forgive the man who killed her son.

“I ask you to erase any bitterness that may be in their hearts towards the young man who stabbed Peter,” said Patty Gerving. “I also ask you to bless this young man’s family and especially his mother. She also lost her son on February 7th. Please help them see that Peter was not their enemy, and neither was I.”

Gerving’s father, Doug, told the officers to mourn his son, “but then, when your grief is over, stand up, wash your face, and put on the uniform of your chosen profession.”

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Miles of police cars joined Gerving’s funeral procession to his burial site in Wisconsin Memorial Park.

On the day of the shooting, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the suspect ignored officers’ commands and fled on foot after they arrived at the scene of the robbery around 1:15 a.m. on the city’s south side. Gerving then caught up with the suspect, a fight ensued, and both men fired their weapons.

Gerving died in the hospital, Norman said.

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According to the chief, Gerving had four years of experience with the Milwaukee Police Department.

The suspect, 19-year-old Terrell Thompson, died at the scene.