Displaying items by tag: Justin Winebrenner

Project Blue Light is moving closer to reaching its goal in Summit County to distribute 10,000 blue lights in honor of service members in the community.

Rob Winebrenner, the father of fallen Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner, launched the project in November.

"We have more people that want the bulbs, than we have bulbs," said Winebrenner.

More than 3,000 light bulbs have been handed out across Summit County since the launch of the project in November. Winebrenner said it's not hard to see the community's support.

"As you drive around Barberton, it's amazing. There's a lot of [blue lights] in the Akron area. I've shipped them off to Warren and other states."

Winebrenner doesn't have any plans to stop -- even after his goal is reached.

"It's been working out very well. Enough to keep it going and keep us ordering our next thousand."

A benefit will be held at the Funny Stop Comedy Club in Cuyahoga Falls Wednesday night. The proceeds will go to Project Blue Light.

Previous Coverage: 

Father Of Fallen Akron Cop Launches Blue Light Project

On the one year anniversary of Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner's death, his father is moving forward with a new project to support local law enforcement officers across Summit County.

Winebrenner has announced the launch of Project Blue Light, JW1301, which is part of a nationwide effort to honor service members in the community.

"I think this blue light would tell those officers out there at night time, and the people driving around, that 'there's a supporter of peace keepers,'" said Winebrenner. "... this blue light represents anybody who's other in the service industry and even our military people."

Winebrenner said the bulbs will be available at local venues across the area, including at the Barberton Police Department where some officers will make a personally delivery to those who request a blue light for their home.

Donations are being accepted and will be used to purchase additional blue lights to be distributed around the area. 

Updates and more information can be found on the Justin Winebrenner Memorial Page on Facebook.

Rob Winebrenner, father of slain Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner, said he has forgiven the man who took his son away from him.

"I said I can forgive him so I can move on. I wish it didn't happen that night. I wish he would gone home and stayed home, but what happened happened; I can't change that."

Family and friends of Justin Winebrenner paid tribute to the man they all knew on the eve of the 1-year anniversary of his death at Barberton High School on Sunday.

Rob Winebrenner said on a day they will release balloons into the air in his son's honor would not be a sad day, but a day to reflect on the amount of good Justin did for a number of people.

"Inside, yes, we're sad. We are mad, but I think on the outside it's more of remembering him and moving on and looking forward and seeing the things he did left behind in peoples minds."

Kenan Ivery killed Justin Winebrenner on November 16th 2015 at Papa Don's Pub, after they got into an argument that led to Ivery being kicked out of the bar.

Ivery was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Winebrenner.

Joel Green, a childhood friend of Justin's, said he will always remember his smile and will always remember him as a caring person. Green said he knows Winebrenner was there with them Sunday.

"We know he is looking down today," Green said. "We couldn't have more beautiful weather today and I think if Justin was standing here today, he would smile."

Ohio Representative Greta Johnson was in attendance and played a big part in naming a portion of the highway along US Route 224 after Winebrenner. Johnson said Winebrenner died helping others.

"Justin was a helper and he died doing what helpers do."

She said riding on the highway named after Justin gives her a daily reminder of the man he was and what it means to be a helper as an elected official.

"I carry him with me and all helpers in the job that I do. His highway sign welcomes me home from every trip everyday to Columbus."

Scott Snyder, founder of the non-profit organization Hero's Rock, presented Justin Winebrenner's daughter Charlee the "CrimeDawg" Rocker that is a replica of the car Winebrener drove as an Akron police officer.

"We created the crime dog for Charlee [Justin Winebrenner's daughter] to reflect Justin's service to his community and who he was."

Snyder and his wife Trish founded Hero's Rock after they learned about a soldier being killed in Afghanistan, a week after learning he was going to be a father.

From pulling a person from a burning car to buying a four-wheeler for a young boy who had his stolen, Snyder said Justin gave his life for others.

"A policeman's motto is to protect and serve. Justin lived by these words on and off the job."

Over 50-100 balloons were let off into the air and many people clapped in celebration, before heading to Green Diamond Grille to watch the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rob Winebrenner said it is a great show of support to see how many people came out to honor his son. He told the crowd before leaving it's because of them he is able to go on.

"Its because of you, each of you. I am able to stand tall."

The man convicted in the fatal shooting of Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner was officially sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 65 years, Wednesday morning.

Judge Alison McCarty followed the jury's recommendation last week to sentence Kenan Ivery, 36, to life in prison over execution.

"You will never again walk among us as a free man," said McCarty.

Justin Winebrenner's father, Rob Winebrenner, was the first of many family members and friends to give a victim impact statement before Ivery's sentencing.

"Finally, I want you to know as a parent, I am content standing here as a proud father of a hero that is no longer with us, knowing the last good deed that Justin did as a police officer is getting you off the streets forever."

Ivery shot and killed Winebrenner during a fight at Papa Don's Pub last November and also wounded four others. Ivery claimed it was self-defense when he pulled the trigger. He walked back into the bar with a gun after he was asked to leave.

Previous Coverage:

UPDATE Jury Recommends Life In Prison Without Parole

Kenan Ivery's Mother Begs For Mercy In Court

UPDATE Kenan Ivery Found Guilty of Aggravated Murder

Ivery Claims Self-Defense In Murder Trial

AUDIO Chief Nice Remembers Fallen Officer

UPDATE 9 PM: The jury has recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for Kenan Ivery, the man convicted of killing Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner. Summit County Judge Alison McCarty is scheduled to sentence Ivery on Nov. 3.

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UPDATE 3:30 PM: After closing statements by the prosecution and defense, and jury instructions, the jurors are set to deliberate the penalty recommendation for convicted cop killer Kenan Ivery.

Judge Alison McCarty told the jurors they should deliberate as long as possible Friday night, before resuming deliberations on Saturday morning.

She did not give a timetable, but evening deliberations could last until 9 PM.

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The convicted killer of an off-duty Akron police officer spoke briefly in the sentencing phase of his trial on Friday.

WKYC Channel 3 reports that Ivery offered an apology to Justin Winebrenner's family and friends, and offered condolences to them. He says he wanted to do so earlier, but was advised against that by his attorneys.

He said he "knows the pain and hurt" of losing a loved one, after the 2011 death of his brother.

The same jurors who found Ivery guilty of aggravated murder in Winebrenner's death at Papa Don's Pub last November now must recommend his fate - the death penalty or life in prison with or without parole are on the table.

Their deliberations could start as soon as this afternoon.

(Ivery's statement, courtesy WKYC Channel 3) "I would like to apologize to the Winebrenner family and friends. This is something I've been wanting to say since the situation first happened and my lawyers told me it wasn't appropriate at the time. My condolences go out to you guys. My family feels the same way. This is coming from my heart. In 2011, I lost a brother, so I know the pain and the hurt that you're going through right now and I pray that God would touch your hearts to help you get through this tragedy."

The penalty phase of Kenan Ivery's trial got underway Thursday, with jurors considering whether they'll recommend he lives or dies.

Ivery was found guilty of aggravated murder last week by that same jury, in the killing of off-duty Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner at Papa Don's Pub last November.

Ivery's mother, Cynthia, begged for mercy.

"To have mercy on my child," she implored the jury in emotional testimony, "I cannot handle losing another child."

She told the Winebrenner family that she knows the pain of losing a loved one.

Kenan Ivery is expected to take the stand Friday.

UPDATE 11:07a --- The man accused of killing Akron Police Officer Justin Winebrenner was found guilty of aggravated murder Thursday morning. 

Kenan Ivery was found guilty on all the counts against him, with the exception of the tampering with evidence charge. (photo courtesy Summit County Prosecutor's Office)

There were 15 counts in all -- including the aggravated murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.

The guilty verdict returned in the aggravated murder charge means the death penalty is still on the table.

The same jurors will consider if Ivery lives or dies in the penalty phase, which starts on Tuesday morning.

The potential sentences for the aggravated murder conviction are the death penalty, life in prison with no parole, or life in prison with parole eligibilty after 20, 25 or 30 years behind bars.

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The verdict in the murder trial of Kenan Ivery, the man accused of killing Akron Police Officer Justin Winebrenner and wounding several others, is expected to be read this morning.

According to court officials, the verdict will be read at 10:30 a.m.

Ivery is facing 15 charges, including one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. 

The 36-year-old is accused of killing off-duty cop Winebrenner during an argument after Ivery was kicked out of Papa Don's Pub last November. 

Ivery admitted on the stand to firing the shots, but he claims it was in self defense and he feared for his life. 

The prosecution insists that Ivery came back into the bar, with a gun, for revenge.

Previous Coverage: 

Jury Deliberates In Ivery Murder Trial

Self-Defense Claim Could Negate Death Penalty

Ivery Claims Self-Defense In Murder Trial

UPDATE Trial Begins For Accused Akron Cop Killer