WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Five years have passed since two Westerville Division of Police officers were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. Tim Ray, an officer who responded to the call with them, says he thinks about his fallen brothers everyday.
Ray, Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli responded to a 911 hang-up call on Feb. 10, 2018. While Ray went toward the back of the building, Joering and Morelli went to the front.
"That day, without Eric and Tony, I'm not here,” Ray said. "They were heroes, bottom line. They were heroes. They are heroes."
It's still hard for Ray to talk about that day, but there isn't a day he doesn't think about Joering and Morelli.
“Those are great guys, and we lost so much that day ,” Ray said.
“A celebration of their life. It's still sad. They should be here. Their lives meant more than that,” said Delaware County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jon Scowden.
Scowden had retired from Westerville Police the day before the shooting.
“They were the last two guys I talked to before I left,” Scowden explained. “When you lose an officer, especially two officers like them, who were amazing people. They were the best of the best. It definitely makes an impact on a police department.”
Scowden says it was the community's support that helped him and the department through the most difficult times.
“The community, I can't say enough about that community,” Scowden said.
Whether community members knew Eric and Tony or not, both Ray and Scowden ask that you think about their friends and family.
“I will think about them. I will pray for them, I will pray for their families,” Scowden said.
“The important thing is what these guys sacrificed. They gave their lives for them, for the community. We responded to a call for help that day,” Ray said.