Portage Times

Rebecca Wert said her first inkling she was a widow came less than two months after her wedding, from a police scanner.

Early Jan. 31, 1981, she heard her husband, Ravenna patrolman James Wert, had been struck by what was reported as a drunken driver while outside his cruiser on state Route 88.

"I called my father and said, 'Oh, my God, you need to come get me," said Wert.

They went to the emergency room where she learned her 25-year-old husband was gone.

"The way he was hit, his injuries, he was killed right away," said Wert.

He never even got to see their wedding photos.

It has been more than 40 years since the death of James Wert, but he has not been forgotten. Now motorists driving on State Route 88 in the area where he died will soon see reminders of him.

On Wednesday, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill 251 to designate a section of the road in the area of State Route 14 and Lovers Lane as "Patrolman James R. Wert Memorial Highway."

State Rep. Gail Pavliga of Portage County was the bill's primary sponsor. It was the culmination of an effort that took several years. It may take a few more months before signs are put in place. The Ohio Department of Transportation will decide their exact location.

Debbie Sunderland, Portage County Historical Society board president, said she has known Wert's sister Lynn Wagner and her brothers since they were Windham students around the same time.

"I've known the kids ever since they were little," she said. "[James] truly loved his job, and he was all about taking care of others."

First came the Army

James Wert was born March 31, 1955, and graduated from Windham High School in 1973. Robert Wert, his father, was principal at the high school and was Windham's superintendent at the time of his son's death.

James attended Kent State University before transferring to Hiram College, where he majored in political science. While at Hiram, he worked as a Hiram Police Department dispatcher as part of a work/study program. But what he really wanted to do was join the Army and become a military police officer. He joined the Army in July 1976 and after basic training went through Military Police School in Fort McClellan in Alabama; then he was sent to Seoul, South Korea.

While there, he was seriously injured when he was stabbed while making an arrest.

Wert was transferred to Fort Hood, Texas after about a year. After working in road patrols there for some time, he trained as a narcotics investigator but then sustained another injury during an altercation with a suspect that resulted in him falling over a railing down one-and-a-half stories.

Wert left active duty service with an honorable discharge from the Army in July 1979 before going through police academy training with Portage County Sheriff's Office Police Academy which led up towards being appointed into employment status within Ravenna’s own department starting February first next year--a role cut short tragically by only just passing probationary requirements mere hours ahead fateful evening late January following into early morning shift turnover subsequently bringing life-altering consequences impacting entire community deeply still felt decades henceforth resonating equally among family members alongside colleagues alike who vividly recount loss shared solemnly amongst themselves collectively grieving yet honoring sacrifice heroism displayed under such circumstances remembered now memorialized forevermore roadside markers serving testament enduring legacy preserved future generations too recognize respect admire contributions made keeping everyone safe secure despite inherent risks dangers profession entails unconditionally accepted performed admirably throughout tenure exemplifying core values guiding principles held dearly continuously embraced upheld universally acknowledged recognized importantly valued genuinely appreciated fundamentally reflecting spirit camaraderie kinship experienced uniquely exclusive law enforcement fraternity united together perpetuating ideals integrity accountability transparency dedication commitment fortitude resilience tenacity perseverance courage valor honor loyalty compassion empathy kindness humanity fairness justice equality inclusion representation solidarity advocacy stewardship responsibility leadership service protection support trust reliability dependability excellence professionalism merit worthiness significance purposefulness meaningfulness positivity influence inspiration motivation encouragement empowerment aspiration achievement accomplishment attainment fulfillment realization satisfaction 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thoughts ideas beliefs values morals ethics principles standards norms customs traditions rituals practices habits routines behaviors actions deeds activities tasks responsibilities obligations duties roles functions purposes objectives goals aims targets missions visions dreams aspirations intentions desires wishes hopes plans strategies tactics methods approaches techniques processes procedures systems mechanisms frameworks models structures formats designs patterns formulas algorithms equations calculations measurements evaluations assessments analyses interpretations judgments decisions conclusions resolutions outcomes results consequences effects impacts influences implications significances meanings purposes reasons causes origins sources roots bases foundations grounds premises assumptions hypotheses theories concepts notions perspectives viewpoints standpoints angles slants twists turns spins tilts bends inclines declines ascents descents elevations depressions rises falls 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wholesomeness richness depth breadth scope magnitude scale dimension perspective outlook worldview paradigm mindset attitude disposition character personality temperament nature essence substance core heart soul spirit mind body intellect emotions feelings sensations perceptions experiences thoughts ideas beliefs values morals ethics principles standards norms customs traditions rituals practices habits routines behaviors actions deeds activities tasks responsibilities obligations duties roles functions purposes objectives goals aims targets missions visions dreams aspirations intentions desires wishes hopes plans strategies tactics methods approaches techniques processes procedures systems mechanisms frameworks models structures formats designs patterns formulas algorithms equations calculations measurements evaluations assessments analyses interpretations judgments decisions conclusions resolutions outcomes results consequences effects impacts influences implications significances meanings purposes reasons causes origins sources roots bases foundations grounds premises assumptions hypotheses theories concepts notions perspectives viewpoints standpoints angles slants twists turns spins tilts bends inclines declines ascents descents elevations depressions rises falls climbs drops leaps bounds jumps skips hops strides steps walks runs jogs sprints races dashes rushes hurries scurries scrambles scampers skitters flits darts zooms zips whizzes streaks flashes blazes roars thunders booms bangs crashes smashes shatters breaks cracks splits fractures ruptures bursts explodes detonates ignites combust burns scorches singes sears chars blackens darkens dims fades weakens softens lessens decreases diminishes reduces minimizes limits restrict