Colerain Township comes out to pay final respects to Sgt. Jerome Grayson
27 years on the Colerain Township Police Department, and he never missed a day.
Less than a year ago, Colerain Township Police Sgt. Jerome Grayson felt pain in his back and leg severe enough to send him to the doctor. The unexpected diagnosis, glioblastoma, which is a rare form of brain cancer, changed everything. He was forced to break his streak as he battled his cancer. Fellow officers say he has shown courage, perseverance and faith throughout his illness.
“He was who he’s always been, ” Colerain Police Chief Mark Denney said. “He did his job seamlessly. So much so, that we never realized how much he was doing. When he couldn’ t do it anymore, it didn’ t take long for us to see those effects. His kindness and goodness as a person just stood out. He always had the best interest of others in mind.”
He died, surrounded by family, Aug. 11. He was 52.
Denney said Grayson was not a risk-taker. He was steady. Denney says he was made to be a police officer.
“He was clean, and decent on and off the job. There was no dark side. He was a good, solid, dependable guy, and we are going to miss him deeply.”
The chief said Grayson’s wife, Noel, has been a rock through the illness.
“I saw him the day before he died, and I told him ‘you picked the right wife. In situations like this, you find out who people really are.’ He said ‘I know.’ She’s a strong lady, always realistic, but she was awesome through it all.”
Denney said officers on the department have planned memorials and intend to continue to support Grayson’s family in the future.
“We plan to stay connected, ” Denney said. “They will always be part of our family here.”
Andy Demeropolis, retired Colerain Township Police Officer who now oversees the township impound lot, described Grayson as the most sincere person he ever worked with. “He was a gentleman’s gentleman, ” Demeropolis said. “He was a good, decent man.”
Grayson was born on the Fourth of July, one of four children. He grew up in Cheviot and attended St. Aloysius grade school and La Salle High School, where he graduated in 1983. He earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati in 1988.
Grayson joined the Colerain Township Police Department as a patrol officer in February 1990. He served also as a detective and was promoted to sergeant during in 1999.
In 2001, he graduated from Northwest University’s School of Police Staff and Command and, during 2011, the Police Executive Leadership College.
Grayson has been integral to the growth of the Colerain Township Police Department, including creating policies and procedures for the vehicle maintenance program, property room and impound lot.
Knowing that he would be unable to return to work, he and Denny retired his uniform July 15, and donated it to the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum. Two weeks later, on Aug. 1, Grayson retired with 27 years of service and several letters of commendation.
He is survived by his parents Jerry and Judy Grayson, wife, Noel; children, Jonathon Grayson, Molly Grayson, William Grayson, and Mary Wynnifred “Winnie” Grayson; sister, Amy (Greg) Goodwin; and two brothers, Andy (Patti) Grayson and Joe (Angie) Grayson.
The family had a private visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Cecilia Church.
A police department procession and memorial followed at the Coleraine Heritage Memorial at the administration building, 4200 Springdale Road.
People lined Colerain Avenue in respect. Cars pulled over and drivers stood on the side of the road as his funeral procession passed.
Memorial donations may be directed the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum, 308 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or St. Jude’s Cancer Research.
