BARBERTON: Five-year-old Charlee Winebrenner takes a trip to the cemetery, with her grandfather, every Wednesday to talk to her dad.
“She just sits there and talks to him. Sometimes we take him flowers, but I always just let her go to sit at the grave site and talk to him. When she’s done, she’ll say ‘OK. I’m done talking to Daddy’,” said Rob Winebrenner, whose son (and Charlee’s father) — Justin Winebrenner, a seven-year veteran of the Akron Police Department — was shot and killed while off duty Nov. 16, 2014.
On Sunday, a day before the first anniversary of his death, family and friends gathered at the Barberton High School soccer field, where Justin Winebrenner once played, to honor his memory. The memorial included a release of white, blue and black balloons; several tributes; words of comfort to his family; and the special presentation of a police cruiser rocking chair to Charlee.
The unique rocker, a replica of Winebrenner’s No. 24 police cruiser with his badge number (1301) painted as the license plate number, was created by Hero’s Rock of Mantua (www.heros rock.us). Hero’s Rock, a nonprofit program established in 2011 by Scott and Trish Snyder, is dedicated to building custom tribute rockers for children of fallen heroes. Each rocker, which is built using public donations, includes things that are important to the hero and an etched portrait.
“Charlee is definitely really excited about the rocker, and it really means a lot to me for her to have such a special gift to remember her dad,” said Alyse Shanafelt, Charlee’s mother. “She talks about her dad every day. She says she misses him and that he’s in heaven.”
Winebrenner, 32, was shot and killed while off duty at an East Market Street pub in Akron. His killer, Kenan Ivery, was convicted and sentenced to life without parole.
State Rep. Greta Johnson, D-Akron, described Winebrenner, a Barberton native, as a helper and appealed to the crowd of about 200 who gathered at the memorial to “celebrate Justin by moving forward and helping one another.”
Deacon Robin Adair of St. Augustine parish in Barberton told those in attendance that Justin Winebrenner was “a sign of God’s goodness, as a son, brother, father, friend and protector of the public.”
A banner hanging on the fence at the high school track and field complex was filled with messages of encouragement from people who came to pay tribute to the slain officer. Among those messages were “Justin, you are and will be Charlee’s angel!” and “Thank you for your sacrifice for our safety! Forever missed! Forever Loved!”
Many in the crowd wore black T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts with Winebrenner’s picture and his badge number. Others wore Cleveland Browns sweatshirts and T-shirts to pay tribute to the man known as Crime Dawg because of his role as a police officer and as a die-hard Browns fan.
At least one Cleveland Browns balloon was released by Rob Winebrenner during the ceremony.
After the balloon release and presentation of the rocker, friends and family gathered down the street from the high school at Green Diamond Grill to watch Winebrenner’s favorite team play the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite the Browns loss (30-9), Rob Winebrenner described the day as one of encouragement for his family.
“We are able to stand because so many people have supported us and continue to keep us and Justin in their thoughts and prayers,” said the elder Winebrenner, a retired Barberton police officer. “This is another one of those days that fuels support for everyone who loved Justin.”
Winebrenner announced on Sunday the launch of Project Blue Light, JW1301, which is an effort to distribute 10,000 blue lights throughout Summit County as a symbol of support for safety service officers. Project Blue Light is a nationwide recognition of police officers who have died in the line of duty. The blue light is intended to be a reminder that an officer gave his life for others.
Because the color blue symbolizes peace, Winebrenner said the blue lights also signal support for men and women in uniform and express hope that the year will be peaceful for those officers.
The Project Blue Light is underway in Barberton with 1,000 blue lights, which are available by contacting the Barberton Police Department.
“It is also a public relations tool because an officer actually delivers the light to the person who requests it and that gives them an opportunity to talk and get to know each other,” Winebrenner said. “Our goal is to expand throughout the county, as we get the bulbs in.”
For more information about Project Blue Light, visit the Justin Winebrenner Memorial Page on Facebook.
Winebrenner will also be honored during a special ceremony at 4 p.m. Monday at the University of Akron Police Academy in the Polsky Building.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.