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Family sponsors Brooklyn Heights’ first K-9 puppy in memory of fallen officer; police outline program timeline
Summary
A local family announced funding for the village’s first K-9 puppy in memory of Officer Jacob Derbin; Police Chief Leahy said the department has first choice of a litter with puppies available around September and described related community safety initiatives including Bike Safety Day and proposed park-security pay increases.
Dawn Derbin told Brooklyn Heights Council on June 2 that she is sponsoring the village police department’s first K-9 puppy in memory of her son, Officer Jacob Derbin, who was killed in the line of duty on May 11, 2024. Derbin described the donation as a way to honor his lifelong commitment to service and protection.
"The donation represents more than the establishment of a K9 program, describing it as a lasting legacy of service, protection, sacrifice, and love for the community," Derbin said in remarks recorded in the meeting minutes.
Police Chief Leahy expressed appreciation to the Derbin family and said the department has selected a litter and will have first choice of the puppies, which are expected to be ready to leave their mother around September. Leahy also provided related updates: the department has 11 children registered for its first Bike Safety Day at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with help from Bike Cleveland, and the event has been promoted across the Village's marquees, website, Facebook page and a MyRec email blast.
Regarding park security, Chief Leahy told the Council that officers have declined seasonal park-security shifts at the current $35-per-hour rate and recommended increasing the seasonal rate to $45 per hour (a market rate for off-duty police work) to improve uptake. He noted the proposed increase would apply only to the seasonal park-security program, not to year-round pay.
Why it matters: The donor-funded K-9 will add capabilities to the local police department and memorialize a fallen officer; the department’s outreach and the proposed park-security pay change are operational steps intended to increase public-safety presence at village parks and events.
