Elyria Police remember Sgt. James Kerstetter

Elyria Police kept its promise to Sgt. James Kerstetter on Friday. Officers gathered outside the station along the sergeant's namesake drive to remember the 16-year department veteran killed in the line of duty 14 years prior. "We remember Jimmy for not only his police work but more importantly being a friend, a son, a husband and a father," Elyria Police Chief Bill Pelko said. "He was always cognizant of being a great example and father figure to his children. We will always remember you, Sgt. Kerstetter, and we will keep your memory and spirit alive." Pelko and Kerstetter were both hired in 1994. Kerstetter died March 15, 2010. He had responded to a disturbance on 18th Street where a neighbor reported Ronald Palmer exposed himself to a child and kicked in her window. As Kerstetter entered Palmer's home, Palmer shot Kerstetter, who was able to radio for backup but was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Officers shot and killed Palmer after a confrontation outside the man's home that evening. For Kerstetter's daughters, Shelby Constantino and Bailey Kerstetter, Friday was bittersweet. Holding her 4-month-old son James Constantino, Shelby said the family is grateful to see a lawn full of people even 14 years later. "As time goes on, every day gets a little harder and every year gets a little harder, but seeing everybody still come out, we see new faces every year and we're very grateful for the support we still get from the community all these years later," she said. She said while it has been exciting to watch her mother become a grandmother, she knows her father would have been a "really good grandpa." "Just like any family that's lost somebody, any time you have a big event or something beautiful happen, it's also tainted with a little bit of sadness because there's someone missing," Shelby Constantino said. Bailey Kerstetter agreed. "We are really grateful that people obviously loved him so dearly. And even though this day is tainted, we're able to truly appreciate the love that he gave and all the love that we're getting back," Bailey Kerstetter said. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.