Patrol remembers local state trooper killed in the line of duty

MILAN TWP. — Today marks exactly 20 years since local state Trooper Robert Perez Jr. died in the line of duty. While working on May 13, 2000, Perez's cruiser was struck by an intoxicated driver while parked off to the side of the Ohio Turnpike in Milan Township. Perez died of his injuries on May 15, 2000. A native of Lorain, Perez would have been 45 years old this year. Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol remembered Perez at their Milan post on Thursday. This week is National Police Week, and today is also National Peace Officer Memorial Day. "He always had a smile, he was always upbeat," Lt. Richard Reeder said. After his death, the Ohio Turnpike Commission, the Ohio Troopers Coalition and Sgt. David Francway of the patrol's Cleveland post came together to create a wooden sign in Perez's honor at the turnpike's milepost 121, where Perez's cruiser was struck, Reeder said. The sign displays Perez's name along with the U.S. and Ohio flags. A sign on the side of the Ohio Turnpike westbound in Milan Township remembers fallen Trooper Robert Perez Jr. Register photo/BRANDON ADDEO "It's something every day that troopers drive by that reminds us of the constant dangers we face daily," he said. Near that sign on the turnpike is another sign warning motorists to move over for stopped vehicles with flashing lights. The sign also displays Perez's name, and was dedicated during a 2018 ceremony. "(The crash) was such a preventable occurrence because the driver failed to move over," Reeder said. This sign instructing drivers to move over also commemorates fallen state Trooper Robert Perez Jr. The sign was dedicated to Perez in a 2018 ceremony at the Patrol's Milan post. Register photo/BRANDON ADDEO Perez also has a tree and plaque in his honor outside the Milan post. For National Police Week, the post has shined a blue light on the plaque every night. "I would like everyone to keep his family in your prayers," Reeder said. "Even though it was 20 years ago, it feels like yesterday." Reeder and Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan Purpura thanked the Ohio Turnpike Commission for maintaining beautification for the memorial tree and signs. A plaque in Perez's honor sits beneath a tree outside the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Milan post. The plaque was lit blue this week for National Police Week. Provided photo/OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL