On May 26, 2007, Officer Jason West, a member of the Cleveland Heights Police Department, 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.

A scholarship has been set up as a way of honoring Officer West’s memory and his dedicated work as a police officer. The Officer Jason D. West Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Program at Cleveland Heights High School.

The scholarship selection committee which includes members of the community and a fellow police officer who is representing Officer West’s family, have been meeting to develop the scope of the scholarship fund, the criteria that will be used in selecting recipients and to actually select the recipient. The first Officer Jason D. West Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at this year’s Senior Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.

Jason always wanted to be a police officer. A close friend of Jason’s and a fellow police officer said that “Jason embodied all of the qualities that we strive to achieve in life and as a law enforcement officer –he was honest, sincere, dedicated and loyal to himself, his family, his friends, and to the police department.” That officer went on to say that “protecting and serving the City of Cleveland Heights was something that Jason did willingly each and every day he put his uniform on.”

Jason made the ultimate sacrifice when responding to the call last May and many in this community miss him. The members of the Officer Jason D. West Scholarship selection committee feel that this scholarship is a fitting tribute to Officer West’s memory. This scholarship, can keep Jason’s name and legacy alive by assisting a student who wants to pursue a profession in law enforcement or criminal justice. Jason’s life, commitment, and work will serve as a role model to young adults.

The Cleveland Heights and University Heights Communities are invited to help honor the memory of Officer Jason West by contributing to his memorial scholarship fund. Anyone wishing to make a contribution can make checks payable to “Cleveland Heights – University Heights City School District,” and include the words “Jason D. West Scholarship” on the memo line. 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 Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118

For more information about the scholarship contact Lita Gonzalez at 216-410-4577