Honoring Peter Jerving: Fallen Milwaukee police officer remembered for his love as much as his heroism

Not long after becoming captain of the Milwaukee Police Department’s District Four, Bradley Schlei’s mornings would sometimes be interrupted by the sound of laughter.

The ruckus came when two officers from the overnight shift were returning to the station. It was so loud, Scheli said, he had to know who “these two clowns” were.

One day, he stepped out of his office and ordered the two officers back inside with him.

“Who are you?” he asked.

The officers were Peter Jerving – the 37-year-old, four-year veteran of the department who was shot and killed on-duty last week – and his partner, James Nowak.

Five minutes into that meeting, Schlei said he could tell Jerving was someone special. He sensed Jerving’s dedication, heart and drive. Similar to what dozens of others have said in the last week, Schlei was taken over by Jerving’s smile.

“I had big plans for Peter,” Schlei said. “But God had bigger plans.”

Around 3,000 people Monday visited Elmbrook Church, 777 S. Barker Road in Brookfield, to pay their respects to Jerving, who became the fifth Milwaukee police officer since 2018 to die in the line of duty when he exchanged gunshots with an armed robbery suspect on the city’s south side.

His death has led to an outpouring of grief in the Milwaukee area and Wisconsin, with various businesses organizing fundraising efforts to support the family, more than 20 landmarks getting illuminated in blue light as tribute and flags being flown at half-mast throughout the state.

The traffic that passed Elmbrook Church on Monday frequently honked horns while various community members displayed American flags.

After funeral services, Jerving was to be buried at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, in Brookfield.

Jerving was celebrated Monday as a dedicated and heroic officer. But it was his love of life, friends and family that Monday’s speakers praised more than anything.

“Peter ran this race with gusto, with the joy of life,” his father, Douglas Jerving, said. “He celebrated every day he had with you.”

Among the speakers were Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, who praised him for his courage.

“Peter Jerving was out there in the middle of the night protecting our city and all of us who live here and work here,” Johnson said. “He came to work each and every single day knowing full well the potential danger, and understanding how important his work was to the safety of our city. That is the very definition of bravery.”

Alexis Twito, a relative of Jerving’s and a pastor at Advent Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, said his friends would often encourage him to transfer to a police department in the quiet suburbs, but he refused. He wanted to work the north side of Milwaukee, where he grew up.

“Peter was committed to his department and as a resident of Milwaukee, he was committed to his community,” Norman said.

His commitment to policework didn’t stop him from the occasional rule-breaking or foolery, though. Jerving, who has been widely noted to be a goofball, briefly drove his jeep onto a sidewalk in an effort to impress his partner, Megan Bradley, on their second date, she said in a statement that was read by Twito.

It was that exuberance that made people gravitate toward him. Sgt. Wes Jerving of the Oak Creek Police Department said even when his cousin was filling in for someone for one day in a recreational sports league – flag football, softball, or anything – he immediately became a member of the team. And they won.

“I know all of you at District Four know exactly what I’m talking about – being on Peter’s team makes us all winners, and everybody in law enforcement here,” Wes Jerving said.

As he closed his remarks Monday, Wes Jerving recalled the morning he learned his cousin died. He began to think about what he would say to his cousin if he had one more chance to speak with him.

Would he tell Peter that he was sorry – for any number of things? No, Peter wouldn’t want to hear that, he thought.

Would he tell his cousin he loved him? Not that either. Peter knew he was loved.

He would thank his cousin instead.

“Thank you, Peter, for being an example of what a man is to be, so that my own sons – I have four – when they grow up I hope that they will follow in your example of love and kindness, joy, steadfastness and hard work.

“Thank you, Peter.”

How can members of the public offer their support?

Jerving’s family has announced two ways members of the public can support the family.

Donations can be made in person at any Landmark Credit Union location to the “Officer Jerving End of Watch Fund.” A list of locations can be found here.

The Milwaukee Police Association Fallen Heroes Inc. set up a fund in Jerving’s name that can receive online contributions here.

Donations can also be made to the fund by making checks payable to “MPA Fallen Heroes Inc." On the memo line of the check, they should indicate the campaign. Checks are to be mailed to MPA Fallen Heroes Inc., 6310 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213.

Multiple other business in Milwaukee are hosting fundraisers throughout the month of February. More information can be found here.

Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Peter Jerving funeral: Milwaukee mourns, honors police officer