Police cars from throughout the Midwest were lined more than a mile deep on 5th Avenue in Gary Monday morning to show support for the Gary Police Department and family of Patrolman Jeffrey B. Westerfield, who was killed in the line of duty on July 6.
A veteran of the United States Army who fulfilled his lifelong dream of being affirmed as a police officer in 1995, numerous stories of Westerfield’s wit, bravery and caring personality were shared by members of his family and police brothers and sisters Monday during his funeral services at the Genesis Convention Center.
“I would always watch out for for Jeff and was so proud when he made it to be a field training officer,” said Lieutenant Thomas Pawlak, who worked alongside him for years. “Jeff now lives on in each of us, his spirit is still here. We are all blessed to have him as a friend.”
Westerfield was the father of five children: Allie, Katie, Cheyenne, Rachel and Brady and gained five more children and three grandchildren through his engagement to Denise Cather.
Allie, holding back tears, praised her father during the service.
“My dad was a police officer, but he was also a dad - and a special one,” she said. “He loved his motorcycle, he loved his tattooing. I love my Dad and always knew if I really needed him, he’d be there. Now, I have my Gary Police Department family, which is like hundreds of aunts and uncles.”
Westerfield’s death was one of three recent law enforcement fatalities in Indiana. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann was in attendance at his funeral and said these recent events “bring to the forefront the real threats and challenges our law enforcement officers go through everyday.”
“We count on them to use training and skills to do the right thing,” she said, adding that there may not be a need for as many police officers if they all had Westerfield’s dedication.
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly also showed his support, previously meeting with the family before delivering an inspiring tribute to Westerfield.
"I bring to you the broken hearts and prayers from all over Indiana and on behalf of the entire nation, whose hearts are also broken,” Donnelly told the family. “I thank you for his extraordinary service. We are so proud of Jeff. When a family ever got in trouble, they could count on him. The neighbors knew he was on their side and when they saw him they knew they were safe.”
Donnelly, who hails from Northwest Indiana, said Westerfield would often take on the “toughest assignments.”
“He never flinched and stood up every day,” the Senator said. “He was a wonderful Dad and great husband.”
Following the service, hundreds of police cars from municipalities in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan began the procession to Schererville, where Westerfield was buried at Chapel Lawn Cemetery.
A number of police supporters, such as the Unforgotten Souls Motorcycle Club, were also a part of the procession. The Unforgotten Souls, a non-profit organization made up of current and former Police, Fire and military personnel, make a point to honor their brothers and sisters at events such as soldiers returning home or in the unfortunate instances such as Monday’s funeral.
“We stand behind all our military, fire and police,” said Scott “Law Dog” Tschida, road captain for the group. “Anytime one of us is taken we do what we can to show our support. We would rather be at a soldiers’ homecoming than at a police funeral, but no matter where it is we are all together for the brotherhood.”