Tallmadge is grieving.
Tallmadge Mayor Christopher Grimm described slain Twinsburg police Officer Joshua Miktarian as "a Tallmadge kid. He went through the system. Well-liked, respected."
Word of his death early Sunday sent "kind of a tremor through the community, as well as through Twinsburg," Grimm said.
On Monday night in Twinsburg, Cindy Steele, wife of Twinsburg police Officer Brian Steele, spoke first at a vigil, telling a crowd that swelled to about 1,000 that the observance was a way to assure Miktarian's family that he would not be forgotten and to show "there is still goodness and kindness and caring in a huge majority of people." She told those in the crowd to "look around you. . . . We are good, caring people here . . . people who value human life."
Steele, struggling to speak as she wept, said Miktarian "paid the highest price . . . there are many heroes in this world and in my heart,
Josh, you are one of them."
Shortly before the vigil began, Twinsburg Police Chief Chris Noga walked through the crowd shaking hands, hugging people. "Obviously, it's a very difficult time for the Twinsburg Police Department," he said. "But seeing people here to celebrate the life of Josh Miktarian, it's wonderful.
"This turnout shows the community is pulling together in this time of tragedy."
Michele Pieragostine, a Twinsburg resident, said, Miktarian's death "makes you realize you take it for granted you're safe and in a split second, a complete stranger can change the lives of so many people."
Hundreds stood outside Twinsburg City Hall. The crowd spilled over Ravenna Road, which was closed. Many held candles. A procession of police cars and a hearse carrying Miktarian's body drove past City Hall on the way to a funeral home in Tallmadge.
As a Tallmadge High tailback in 1992, Miktarian had returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown against Springfield.
He also worked as a patrolman in Cuyahoga Falls and Uniontown. His wife, Holly, is an officer in Oakwood Village.
They had a daughter named Thea three months ago.
The Miktarian family is known in Akron as the owner of the venerable Joe's All-Star Cafe. The former East Market Street restaurant was started by his grandfather, Joe. Later, his father, Paul, ran the business with uncles Mike and Zobby Miktarian.
In 1998, Josh Miktarian and police officer Doug Porrini opened a pizza shop in Sagamore Hills. He was also a musician.
"I used to always joke with Josh -- I was never sure when he slept," Twinsburg Prosecutor David Maistros said. "Because he worked for us midnights, a pizza parlor, he was in a rock band, he trained officers in Uniontown, was a new father. It's unfortunate."
Funeral Information
Visitation for Officer Miktarian will be held Thursday, July 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church in the Cleveland suburb of Oakwood.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
