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It's been 5 years since Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner was killed

Community to pay respects during memorial
Posted at 10:43 AM, Nov 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-16 10:43:05-05

AKRON, Ohio — Akron residents will come together Saturday to pay their respects to Justin Winebrenner, an Akron police officer who was gunned down five years ago at a local restaurant.

On Nov. 16, 2014, the 32-year-old officer was off-duty at Papa Don's when his assailant, Kenan Ivery, then 36, became unruly and was asked to leave.

Winebrenner and another man attempted to remove Ivery from the establishment, but shots were fired and the officer was hit.

Ivery's defense attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense. A jury thought otherwise, and Ivery was found guilty for Winebrenner's murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Thousands of Akron residents and visitors from all over the state took to the streets when Winebrenner's funeral procession brought him to his final rest. News 5 Photojournalist Mike Vielhaber captured the solemn event on camera. You can see photos, here.

Winebrenner will be remembered Saturday evening during a memorial in Akron. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Akron's F.O.P. Lodge, 2610 Ley Drive.

This year's memorial will help raise funds to support the Justin Winebrenner Scholarship. More info can be found, here.