About US
The Officer Jason D. West Memorial Fund is a community based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is devoted to encouraging young people to enter the criminal justice field, strengthening the relationship between young people and the police and honoring the life of Officer Jason West.
Officer West was a member of the Cleveland Heights Police Department who was killed in the line of duty in 2007. To honor his service, the organization encourages citizens to apply to the The Cleveland Heights Police Academy.
A Board of Directors guides the work of the organization as they evaluate ways to partner with Cleveland Heights City and police department to continue to honor Officer West in a way that is a fitting tribute to his memory.
The 2024 Board of Directors:
Liz Radivoyevitch (RAD Graphics, Inc.), Vice President
Cheryl Urminski, Treasurer
Captain Matt Cinadr (CHPD), Secretary
Christopher Britton, Chief of Police (CHPD)
Destiny Burns (CLE Urban Winery)
Jonathan Epstein
Johnnie Lemons
Quintero Mack (CHPD-Ret)
Annette Mecklenburg (CHPD-Ret Chief of Police)
Dawn Mongelluzzi Quintana (Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa)
Lou Radivoyevitch (RAD Graphics, Inc.)
Tom Tomsic (CH Citizens Police Academy)
About Officer Jason D. West
On May 26, 2007, Cleveland Heights Officer Jason West lost his life while responding to a disturbance call. This tragedy touched so many people – his family, friends, fellow officers and the entire Cleveland Heights community.
Officer West had always wanted to be a police officer. He embodied all of the qualities that are needed to be a good law enforcement officer – he was honest, sincere, dedicated and loyal to himself, his family, his friends, and to the police department.
Protecting and serving the City of Cleveland Heights was something that Officer West did willingly each and every day he put his uniform on.
As a way of honoring Officer West’s service, memory and his dedicated work as a police officer, community residents, business owners and Cleveland Heights created the Officer Jason D. West Scholarship Fund.
The Officer jason d. west memorial fund timeline
2007
On May 6, 2007, Investigator Jason D West, a member of the Cleveland Heights Police department is shot and killed when he responds to a domestic disturbance call.
Founder Lita Gonzalez begins talking to residents and police officers about starting a memorial fund in Officer West's name to honor his memory. A 2-year criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Program has just started at the Cleveland Heights, University Heights High school. Lita talks to the CH-UH School District superintendent about starting the program under the umbrella of the school district. The superintendent agrees and Officer West's parents are approached for their approval.
2008
Total amount raised - $1,698
The first fundraising letter is sent out to Cleveland Heights residents explaining the Scholarship and asking for their support. A small raffle is held at Phoenix Coffee on Lee Road.
Scholarship Awarded:
On May 8, The Scholarship Fund awards its first $500 scholarship to graduating senior Tashay Roberts.
2009
Total Amount raised: $1,698.
Money raised from a fundraising letter sent out to donors, and two fundraisers held at Phoenix Coffee.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $500 to Devyn Mitchell.
- 2nd $500 to Tashay Roberts
2010
Total Money Raised: $4,091
All funds raised from a fundraising letter sent out to donors, a raffle at Phoenix Coffee, and from our first Mega-Raffle at Tavern Company, held in August. Fundraising jars were placed at various Cleveland Heights businesses and raffle prizes are awarded to the winners.
Scholarships awarded:
- 1st $500 to Cortney Lovelace
- 2nd $500 to Devyn Mitchell
2011
Total amount raised: $2,398
From donations, and from the Mega Raffle fundraiser at Parnell's Pub. Raffle tickets sold for the first time at Zagaras. Fundraising jars left at various businesses.
Scholarships awarded to:
- First $500 to Kamille Harris
In 2021, the CHUH School District discontinued the two-year Criminal Justice Career Tech Program. As a result, the Scholarship Committee began re-evaluating its work.
2012
Scholarships Awarded:
- 2nd $500 to Kamille Harris
2013
Donations received - $750
Scholarships Awarded:
- 1st $500 to Travis Thompson
- 1st $500 to Dymond Lockhart
2014
Total amount raised: $6,032
Funds raised at our March 16th Mega Raffle at Brennan's Colony, and donations received from event and letter writing campaign.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $500 to Cameron Steele
- 1st $500 to Michael Kowalski
- 2nd $500 to Travis Thompson
2015
Total amount raised: $8,042
Money raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser at New Heights Grill on Lee Road, and our annual letter writing campaign to donors.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $500 to Kelley Howard
- 1st $500 to Anna Majercak
- 2nd $500 to Cameron Steele
- 2nd $500 to Michael Kowalski
- Full $1000 to Stedman Smith
- Cleveland Heights Police Academy tuition $2700 to Stedman Smith
2016
Total amount raised - $4,910
Funds raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser at New Heights Grill on Lee Road and letter writing campaign to donors.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $500 to Jordon Hall
- 1st $500 to Taron Wright
- 2nd $500 to Kelley Howard
- 2nd $500 to Anna Majercak
2017
Total amount raised - $5,560
Money raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser held at Tavern Co on Lee Road, and letter writing campaign to donors.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $1000 to David McKenzie
- 1st $1000 to Christopher Smith
- 2nd $500 to Jordon Hall
- 2nd $500 to Taron Wright
2018
Total amount raised - $4,085
Money raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser held at Boss Dog Brewery, and letter writing campaign to donors.
Scholarships awarded to:
-
1st $1000 award to Kyle Mattox
-
Cleveland Heights Police Academy $3950 tuition to Travis Thompson
2019
Total amount raised - $4,165
Money raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser held at NightTown, and letter writing campaign to donors.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $1000 to Keith Harris
- 1st $1000 to Breya Hinton
- 1st $1000 to Claude Lewis
2020
Total amount raised - $500
Money raised from direct donations. Our Mega Raffle fundraising event was cancelled due to Covid.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $1000 to Symone Smith
- 1st $1000 to Logan Bryant
- 2nd $500 to Breya Hinton
- 2nd $500 to Claude Lewis
2021
Total amount raised - $0
No money was raised due to the CHUH School District discontinuing the two-year Criminal Justice Career Tech Program. As a result, the Scholarship Committee decided to become a 501(c)3 and began the process of re-structuring to an independent non-profit with a board of directors.
Scholarships awarded to:
- 1st $1000 to Angela Williams
2022
Total amount raised - $600
Direct donations from regular donors
No scholarships were awarded in 2022
In 2022, the city of Cleveland Heights announced the re-opening of the Cleveland Heights Police Academy. The board decided to award tuition re-imbursements to select cadets upon successfully graduating from the academy.
2023
Total amount raised - $22,400
Money raised from our Mega Raffle fundraiser at Tavern Company and from sponsorships from businesses supporting the event and our team of runners in the Cleveland Heights Happy 5K run. Donation also came from appeals and our letter writing campaign.
Tuition reimbursements
- $5000 to Jermaine Smith in June
- $5000 to Cory Robinson in December
- $2,500 to Anna Franklin in December
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