Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School welcomed a special visitor this week when Jake, the Brooklyn Heights Police Department’s new German shepherd K-9 puppy, stopped by to meet students and staff.

While the young pup quickly captured plenty of attention from students, his name and future role carry special meaning for the Cuyahoga Heights Schools community.

Jake is named in honor of fallen Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, a 2018 graduate of Cuyahoga Heights High School who was killed in the line of duty on May 11, 2024. Derbin grew up in Brooklyn Heights and had dreamed of one day becoming a K-9 handler.

Jake is the first K-9 for the Brooklyn Heights Police Department. Earlier this year, Derbin’s mother, Dawn, donated $2,500 to cover the cost of the puppy for the department’s new K-9 program.

The connection between Derbin, Cuyahoga Heights Schools and the surrounding community runs deep. During his time at Cuyahoga Heights High School, Derbin also earned firefighter and EMT certifications through Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. After graduating, he joined the Ohio Army National Guard and served overseas in Kuwait and Iraq before pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Derbin joined the Euclid Police Department in 2023. He was 23 when he was killed while responding to a disturbance call.

Jake’s visit gave some of Cuyahoga Heights’ youngest students an opportunity to meet the puppy who will eventually serve the community while also carrying forward the name and memory of a former graduate.

As Jake grows and begins his training for his future role in law enforcement, he will carry with him the name of a Cuyahoga Heights graduate whose legacy of service remains an important part of the school community.

Jake’s arrival is one of several recent tributes honoring Derbin’s life and service. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently participated in a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 334, which names the portion of Interstate 480 between Lancaster Drive and Interstate 77 in Cuyahoga County the “Officer Jacob J. Derbin Memorial Highway.” The designation provides another lasting reminder of Derbin and the sacrifice he made while serving others.

Check out the WKYC TV3 story about Jake here: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/community/heartstrings/brooklyn-heights-police-department-first-k-9-named-after-fallen-euclid-police-officer-jacob-derbin/95-b1a00024-17e3-4bf3-b37d-3b8e58085da9