Slain councilman's family thanks community, sets up website
The family of former Fort Bragg City Councilman Jere Melo on Wednesday issued a statement thanking the community for an outpouring of support after Melo was shot and killed on private forest land where he was conducting property management.
"The family of Jere Melo is brokenhearted over the devastating loss of their beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. Jere was murdered on Saturday, August 27th on private timberlands four miles east of Fort Bragg while investigating a report of a marijuana/opium poppy grow there.
"Jere is a fallen warrior in an unwanted battle.
"A community leader who worked tirelessly with numerous organizations, Jere touched the lives of countless people. He was not one to seek out praise and many will never know the good that Jere did for them.
"Jere fought for his country, his state, his county and his city. He served in South Korea in the U.S. Army and achieved the rank of Captain. Many American communities have unsung, everyday heroes. While Jere was not the only exemplary community leader, he was one of the best.
"Jere came from a large Italian family. He had innumerable actual and honorary nieces and nephews. To so many people, he was Uncle Jere.
"The family's sorrow has been relieved by the huge outpouring of love, as well as the messages of what Jere meant to so many people and organizations. A website has been created where people can share how Jere touched their lives at www.jeremelo.com. ...
"Anyone who
would like to share how Jere impacted their lives is welcome to attend a celebration of his life on Saturday, September 10th at 2:00 p.m. at Timberwolf Stadium in Fort Bragg. The high school stadium is one of many local projects in which Jere was an instrumental force."Donations in Jere's memory can be made to the following organizations: Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation (the organization that is building Timberwolf Stadium); P.O. Box 2812; Fort Bragg, CA 95437; www.timberwolfstadium.org, and the Otsuchi Recovery Fund; P.O. Box 1017; Fort Bragg, CA 95437; www.otsuchi.org.
Source: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_18802318?source=rss_viewed