On March 15th 2010 in the 10pm hour an event
took place that would change the lives of thousands of people in our city. It would bring the citizens in our
community out by the thousands. Even the criminals and lawbreakers came out of seclusion to pay their respects to a man they
have known and been arrested by, as Officer Kerstetter. This will be the biggest event our city would ever know.
It was the night that my former classmate
and friend from the neighborhood would be killed while on duty. Jimmy responded to a call from a woman, where
a man was kicking in her windows and door to get at her and her child. The man returned to his home as Jimmy arrived.
Jimmy talked to the woman to see what had happened. He then went next door to talk to the man, and that is when
Jimmy was ambushed while attempting to talk to the man in his home next door. A terrible gun fight ensued and Jimmy
was taken from us.
Jimmy was more than just a cop
he didn't just arrest people. He would talk to people and try and get to the root of their problems. He would offer
them help in trying to get their lives back together. He was a real family man with a wife and 3 daughters. His Family
has held their heads high and carried themselves with honor and dignity which are the same strengths that my friend Jimmy
had. They are so strong to come out of this and still have a positive outlook on life. They are moving forward
with their lives. There is a hole in all our hearts that will remain forever but with that hole comes the pride of knowing
that our friend grew up to be the best Police Officer, Father and Friend our city would ever know.Though life goes on there
isn't a day that goes by we don't remember him. Wherever you went in our city, you would find him there.
He would be putting in overtime at the local grocery store, department stores, festivals we held where he was diligently keeping watch over all who were within his sights. He would make sure our women and children made it to their
cars safely even helping them carry their groceries out to their cars. You could find Jimmy on the side of the road
helping someone change their tire. All the little things that make a person a great man.
