Officer Derbin warned other officers after being shot: I-Team
EUCLID, Ohio (WJW) — Police video released to the FOX 8 I TEAM shows Euclid Police officers going to a call for a woman in fear, and you hear her chilling words moments before a gunman ambushed and killed officer Jacob Derbin.
Watch: Firefighters’ tribute to Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin
The I-TEAM has also learned that Officer Derbin yelled a warning to other officers even after a gunman shot him. It happened Saturday night following a call for domestic trouble.
Police body camera video shows three officers walking into danger. They went to a call at a home for a woman terrified of an ex-lover. The woman told police, “I don’t know. I don’t feel safe. I understand you are the police, but I don’t feel safe.” She added, “I don’t feel safe standing right here and he shot my brother. He is texting that he is going to shoot me and my mother.”
Investigators said that officer Derbin went to the backyard to check for a suspect and a gunman ambushed him by opening fire.
Now, we’ve learned that officer Derbin protected and served until his final breath. Euclid Police
Chief Scott Meyer told the I TEAM, “In the final moments, he was still able to warn the other officers of the location of the suspect. To me, that is just, I don’t know, the total work of a hero.” Monday, a long line of officers escorted officer Derbin’s body to a funeral home.
Derbin gave his life thinking of others until the very end by trying to make sure no one else got hurt while boldly responding to a complaint for a dangerous man.
Captain Mitch Houser said, “Two victims, two complete strangers that he went there for without a second thought. And, went in the back yard looking for this person. Eeven after the ambush happened, he still had the wherewithal and the spirit to warn his fellow officers who could have very easily been shot as well. “
Meyer added, “I am absolutely devastated by the loss of our officer. Officer Jacob Derbin is a hero. He did everything right.”
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Officer Derbin went to a call for help from a woman reporting she was in fear of her child’s father. Days earlier, she told police that he (the suspect) shot her brother 9 times, nearly killing him. And, we’ve reported, the suspect had warrants out for his arrest for a series of recent cases and for violating parole. Sunday, investigators say the suspect got into a shootout during a standoff with police.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has ruled the suspect took his own life.
Officer Derbin came from a law enforcement family. His father also works as a Euclid police officer. His grandfather was a police officer, and his uncle carries a badge, too. Chief Meyer also said, “He (Derbin) gave his life in the service of this community, and there is no higher calling than that.”
Dawn Derbin, the officer’s mother told us, she believes her son never had a chance that night while being ambushed and she considers him a hero. He was planning to get married soon. Investigators believe the killer had been just out of sight listening as police spoke to the people at that home.
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