Milwaukee police salute fallen Officer Peter Jerving for years of dedicated service

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) honored an officer killed in the line of duty with a procession Tuesday evening. 

Officer Peter Jerving, 37, was killed early Tuesday morning while attempting to arrest a suspect who was wanted in connection to a robbery, according to MPD.

Jerving was a lifelong Milwaukee resident and four-year veteran of MPD.

"Milwaukee has lost one of its finest young officers," MPD Chaplain George Papachristou said. 

Papachristou said the Jerving family thanks MPD and the community for their support at this time.

"It is with much sadness that we, the family of Peter Jerving, announce his untimely death, which took place in the line of duty. Officer Peter Jerving loved and dedicated his life to serving the people of our city. To his last breath, Peter fulfilled that goal," Papachristou said on behalf of the Jerving family.

Jerving is survived by his mother, father, brothers and sisters.

Chief Jeffrey Norman said he's only heard positive stories about the young officer.

"I was able to talk to his mother who said that he was so proud to be an officer, so proud to be a Milwaukee police officer," Norman said.

The procession guarded Jerving as his body was transported from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office to a funeral home in Brookfield.

The MPD Honor Guard will watch over his body until he's laid to rest. 

People lined the route offering support in the form of a salute. 

"There's a lot of sadness, lot of anger," Salvation Army Chaplain Marcine Spoke said.

Spoke, who works year-round with MPD, said the best way the community can show their support right now is by thanking officers when they see them.

"We'll support them as long as it takes," Spoke said.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced as of Tuesday night.