1978 – 2018
Westerville Police Department
End of Watch:
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Nominator: John Johnson
Officer Anthony Pasquale Morelli was raised in Massillon, Ohio. He was a Kent State University and Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy graduate.
On February 10, 2018 Officers Morelli and Joering were killed in the line of duty while responding to a 911 domestic violence call.
Domestic violence calls are often the most dangerous for responding officers. Although the 911 call came in to the Westerville Police Department as a hang up, and officers had been called to the residence numerous times before, Officers Morelli and Joering understood the cycle of violence and responded swiftly. They lost their lives protecting the lives of a mother and her child and the Westerville community.
Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said the word hero is thrown around like candy, but the title truly applied to Officers Morelli and Joering – long before Feb. 10.
Officer Morelli was a 29 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. In 2012, Officer Morelli was elected by his peers as the Westerville Division of Police Officer of the Year for outstanding actions and conduct. Officer Morelli was also recognized for taking place in the 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run, supporting the Special Olympics of Ohio.
Officer Joering was a 16 year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. During his time with the Westerville Police Department Officer Joering was a patrol officer, worked in the Detective Bureau, and then became a K-9 Officer partnered with Sam. Thankfully, Sam has gone home to live with Officer Joering’s family.
Officer Joering was three times recognized with the Exceptional Duty Award. He was also recognized with a commendation in 2013 for his role in an investigation that led to the arrest of dealers with links to high-level drug traffickers in Mexico.
More than just dedicated officers, these two men were dedicated fathers and husbands.
Officer Morelli is survived by his wife of 28 ½ years Linda, son Christopher, daughter Elizabeth, and future son-in-law, Dan Frank.
Officer Joering is survived by his wife Jami and his young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella.
Because they responded to that call, Officer Morelli will not walk his daughter Beth down the aisle at her wedding. Officer Joering will not watch as his three young daughters, Eva, Elena, and Ella graduate from high school.
Westerville police chaplain James Meacham, a friend to both Morelli and Joering, said “We are tired of all the evil and darkness. We need the light.”
The man indicted for the murders of Officers Morelli and Joering has a history of violence and is facing two charges of aggravated murder of a police officer. He faces the death penalty if convicted.