Support Shown at Procession for Fallen OSHP Trooper Velez, Suspect Charged

LAKEWOOD, OH — Law enforcement officers and firefighters lined the procession route for fallen OSHP Trooper Kenneth Velez to pay their respects on Friday.

The procession took his body from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office to a funeral home in Lorain.

Trooper Velez was conducting routine traffic enforcement in the westbound lanes of I-90 in Lakewood when he was hit by a car on Thursday. The 48-year-old father of three died at Metrohealth Hospital as a result of his injuries.

The Lakewood Fire Department also raised an American flag from an overpass in Velez's honor.

Funeral arrangements for Trooper Velez have not been announced.

A video of the procession for Trooper Velez can be viewed below:

The man who struck and killed Trooper Velez has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. Joshua J. Gaspar of Columbia Station was processed into the Cleveland City Jail Thursday evening. Gaspar's bond was set at $500,000 in court on Saturday morning.

Gaspar attempted to avoid another car and struck Velez while he was conducting routine traffic enforcement outside of his patrol car. Velez died at Metrohealth hospital.

According to court records, Gaspar was high on drugs at the time of the crash.

Cleveland.com reports that Gaspar has a lengthy police record including two prior felony convictions and drug possession.

Image courtesy of Ohio Going Blue