| Area man killed in Iraq |
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It was his determination to do what he felt was right, despite what others thought, that made former Euclid and Timberlake resident Jerry Zovko stand out, his younger brother said.
Zovko, a 32-year-old Euclid High School graduate, was one of four civilians killed Wednesday in the town of Fallujah in Iraq. The deaths made headlines for the brutality surrounding them. After the four Americans were killed in an ambush by insurgents, Iraqis in the unruly town burned and mutilated the corpses. Zovko had been in Iraq for about a year, working as a security consultant for Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater Security Consultants. Among other jobs in Iraq, members of Blackwater Security help guard L. Paul Bremer, head of the U.S. occupation authority in Iraq. Zovko served in the Army's 82nd Airborne unit and Rangers from 1991 to 1997, said his brother, Tom Zovko, who lives in Timberlake Village. Zovko's parents, Jozo (Joe) and Danica (Donna) of Eastlake, did not wish to comment. Donna Zovko, however, told The Associated Press she and her husband suspected their son was one of the dead late Wednesday evening because he had been working in Iraq. Their fears were confirmed early Thursday when the president of Blackwater USA knocked on their door and told them their son had died. "It was the hardest day of my life," Donna Zovko said. "Jerry was a man with a principle, an idea," his mother said. "He loved people. He wanted the world to be without borders, for everybody to be free and safe." Tom said his brother had an independent streak and always followed his dreams. "He was a great person," Tom said. "He did everything to the highest. He was a truly exceptional person. He did what he wanted, and no one could stop him." Jerry performed several duties in Iraq, including being a military police officer, a bodyguard and setting up security where it was needed, Tom said. Tom said although the family had been concerned when Jerry went to Iraq, he insisted on going because he enjoyed his work. "He really took it very seriously," Tom said. "He made a career out of it." Jerry and Tom grew up in Euclid and the family later moved to Timberlake. Tom said the family is waiting to hear when Jerry's body will be flown home. A funeral service will likely be held at St. Paul Croatian Church in Cleveland, he said. Timberlake Village Mayor John Roskos extended his sympathy to the family Thursday. "My condolences go out to the family," Roskos said. "They've got a hard time with it right now. It's a shame." U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Madison Village, spoke with the family Thursday, and expressed his condolences and offered his assistance, said spokeswoman Deborah Setliff. Out of respect for the family's privacy, LaTourette would not provide any additional details about his conversation, Setliff said. Gov. Bob Taft said Zovko's service was important to his country. "Jerry Zovko was performing a very vital role in Iraq," Taft said. "His tragic death underscores the fact that the United States must continue to do everything possible to provide stability to a deeply troubled region and to prevent Iraq from becoming a haven for international terrorism." Blackwater is one of a number of security firms, many comprised of former special forces troops from the United States and Britain, that have won contracts with the U.S. occupation authority to provide security services. The company did not release the names of the four victims. "We grieve today for the loss of our colleagues, and we pray for their families," according to a statement Thursday posted on the company's Web site. "The graphic images of the unprovoked attack and subsequent heinous mistreatment of our friends exhibits the extraordinary conditions under which we voluntarily work to bring freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people. "Coalition forces and civilian contractors and administrators work side by side every day with the Iraqi people to provide essential goods and services like food, water, electricity and vital security to the Iraqi citizens and coalition members. Our tasks are dangerous, and while we feel sadness for our fallen colleagues, we also feel pride and satisfaction that we are making a difference for the people of Iraq." A memorial fund has been established by Blackwater to support the victim's families. All memorial gifts will be documented and appropriately acknowledged with due regard to the wishes of the donor and the nature of the contribution, the statement said. Contributions may be mailed to: Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 159, Moyock, N.C. 27958. Make checks payable to: Memorial Fund. |
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