Fallen Cleveland Police Officer's Name Added To National Monument

CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland Patrol Officer David J. Fahey Jr. was killed in Jan. 2017 in the line of duty, trying to protect motorists on I-90 after a car accident disrupted morning traffic. Now his name will adorn the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial walls.

Cleveland Police announced via their blog that Fahey's name would be added to the Washington, D.C. monument as part of National Police Week. The walls of the monument display the names of federal, state and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Fahey was a local boy. He attended St. Edward's High School in Lakewood and graduated in 1995. He went on to serve in the US Navy. He joined the Cleveland Police Department in July 2014. He was assigned to the city's first district, on the West Side.

He came from a family of police officers, so it almost seemed like his destiny to arrive in Cleveland wearing blue and a badge. His mother, step-father, and brother all served as police officers in the city.

His dedication to Cleveland wasn't just part of his job, it was part of his character. He was an avid sports fan. He cheered on the Cavaliers and the Browns. One of the pictures circulating through the media has been Fahey posing with the Cavaliers' championship trophy. Multiple outlets have reported that the Cavaliers gifted Fahey with a championship ring in honor of his service to the city.

When he was killed, he was 39-years-old.

To read more about Fahey and his life, click here.

As part of National Police Week, businesses and civic groups are lighting their offices blue. Residents in Northeast Ohio are being asked to don blue outfits during the week in honor of the region's fallen officers.

Photo from Cleveland Police