The dead police officer Jeroen Leuwerink from Asten will be honored again on Thursday. His name is revealed in the Garden of Reflection, a memorial site of the police in Warnsveld in Gelderland. “Jeroen would have thought this was very cool”, father Jos beams proudly.
On Saturday evening, October 24, 28-year-old Jeroen saw a dead badger on the road. He and a colleague decided to remove the animal to clear the highway. The moment Jeroen was standing in front of the police car, the car was hit from behind.
The fact that Jeroen’s death has stirred things up can be clearly seen in his father’s house in Aarle-Rixtel. The living room is full of his son’s things. A digital photo frame, his police cap, figurines, tokens and even the riot shield: it’s all widely displayed.
With twinkling eyes, father Jos stands among the dozens of items. “That way we keep the memories of Jeroen warm. I still think about him several times a day. The loss is enormous.”
An extensive anecdote follows with every photo of Jeroen. “It was a real carnival celebration. Look, here he is holding his guitar wrong. Grapperhaus could laugh about that when he visited us,” laughs his father. Jeroen’s brother Martijn adds: “He watched over everyone, even outside working hours.”
“He really was my big brother.”
The Garden of Reflection Warnsveld is a national monument. The police established it as a tribute to police officers who died in the course of their duties. In the garden is a memorial column with the names of these deceased colleagues. “I had never heard of it,” admits father Jos. “It is very special that he now gets a place there. It will be an emotional and difficult day.”
“He deserves this honor. He was always ready for everyone”, his brother Martijn knows. “He was really my big brother. I still can’t believe he’s gone. Sometimes I still hope he just comes back.”
“I yelled and yelled. Then your world collapses.”
With tears in his eyes Jos thinks back to the moment he was called about the death of his son. In the middle of the night, his daughter heard the terrible news. “It was bizarre. That is indescribable. I have yelled and yelled. Then your world collapses.”
The 37-year-old driver who drove the back of the police car was texting, watching a sports game and using Instagram, it turned out later in court. De Helmonder was sentenced to two months in prison. “A bizarre punishment”, father Jos still thinks. The appeal has not yet been completed. “It is not possible for us to close yet.”
Jeroen’s name will be added on Thursday afternoon. “It is a place where we will come often. Our thoughts are then only with Jeroen”, says Jos. “In spite of everything, I am very proud. He left something behind.”
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