Funeral, Visitation Set for Fallen Detroit Police Officer

DETROIT, MI — Funeral services have been scheduled for Myron Jarrett, the Detroit police officer who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Saturday while investigating an accident. The 40-year-old father of four, Jarrett was an eight-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department.

The funeral will be held at noon Monday at the Second Ebenezer Church, 4601 Dequindre St. in Detroit. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday and 2-9 p.m. Sunday at Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Road in Madison Heights. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery at Woodward and State Fair avenues in Detroit.

Police said Steven Guzina, 54, was high on crack cocaine when he struck Jarrett, who was stopped about 10:30 p.m. Friday to investigate a traffic collision near Monica Street and Puritan Avenue. The officer was thrown 30 feet in the air on impact and died Saturday at a Detroit hospital.

Guzina was ordered held without bond in the Wayne County Jail after his arraignment on five felony charges, including second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated, causing death.

Flags are flying at half mast outside the 12th Precinct, where Jarrett spent the last three years of his career.

In a news conference after Jarrett died Saturday, Craig said Jarrett enjoyed a congenial relationship with his colleagues and took good-natured ribbing in stride.

“They called him 'Salt and Pepper' because he had salt-and-pepper hair,” Craig said. “They would also tease him because he was the only person to walk around with a leather ticket book. They called it his man purse. He was very proud of that ticket book.”

In a statement Saturday, Mayor Mike Duggan described Detroit as a city in grief.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out ... to the family of Ofc. Myron Jarrett, the fallen DPD officer who lost his life ... while serving and protecting our city. Our hearts also are with his DPD family,” Despite the grief they are feeling today, the men and women of the Detroit Police Department responded quickly and professionally to locate and arrest the person responsible for Officer Jarrett's death.”

Craig said he had never seen Jarrett “angry or frustrated,” according to a report on WDIV-TV.

“His service to the community was important,” Craig said. “He really wanted to make a difference, and he did make a difference.”

In a statement announcing the charges earlier Monday, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’ said Jarrett’s death is “yet another very tragic result of a person allegedly driving under the influence of intoxicants taking ‎a life.”

“There have been public service announcements and activism about this for decades,” Worthy said. “There are probably people driving under the influence at this very moment. Who knows when this will stop?”

Photo via Detroit Police Department