Officer West scholarship fundraiser set for May 3
Officer Jason D. West
On May 26, 2007, Cleveland Heights Police Officer Jason West responded to a routine disturbance call and was shot as he was getting out of his car. His death shocked and angered the community. In response, Cleveland Heights residents, together with West's family, friends, local business owners and fellow officers, established a scholarship fund in his memory. This year, 11 graduating seniors from the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement program at Cleveland Heights High School have applied for the scholarship.
To help raise money for the award, the scholarship committee is hosting its Annual Great Cleveland Heights Mega Raffle on Sunday, May 3, at the New Heights Grill on Lee Road. Tickets for the raffle are $2 and can be purchased at several local businesses: Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa on Taylor Road, Shawn Paul Salon on Lee Road, New Heights Grill on Lee Road, and Blush Boutique on Coventry Road. Tickets are also available from any committee member and on the night of the event. Last year’s Mega Raffle raised more than $8,000 for the scholarship.
The Officer Jason D. West Memorial Scholarship is awarded in two parts: $500 is awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies Officer West’s honesty, sincerity, and dedication to work, and who plans to purse a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. The second $500 portion of the scholarship is awarded to the recipient after successful completion of his or her first year of college.
Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to: The Officer Jason D. West Memorial Scholarship Fund; c/o the Treasurer’s Office; Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District; 2155 Miramar Blvd.; University Heights, 44118. Checks should be made payable to “Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District,” and should include “Jason D. West Scholarship” on the memo line. Visit the Officer Jason West Scholarship Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Officer-Jason-D-West-Memorial-Scholarship/117013488325636?v=wall.
[Note: The man charged with killing Jason West was sentenced to life in prison in October 2009.]
Lita Gonzalez
Lita Gonzalez is co-chairperson of the Officer Jason West Memorial Scholarship Committee. She has lived in Cleveland Heights since 1995. She recently published her family's history (1800-1917), Meeting the Ghosts Inside Me.