Although it is always sad when anybody passes away, there is a certain type of sadness associated with those who pass while serving others. That is often the case with first responders, including firemen, paramedics and policemen. When they die, it often touches the entire community but especially those that work with them on a daily basis. After all, they are prepared to give their lives for each other at a moments notice.
This photo happened on July 2 when a crowd was gathering for a funeral procession. This funeral procession occurred in Mentor, Ohio and it was for fallen patrolman, Matthew Mazany. He was struck during a hit-and-run incident on June 24 and the 41-year-old police officer had lost his life.
The 145 car procession was making its way through the streets and both officers and citizens were paying their respects. Laura Weber was also in the crowd and she saw something that touched her so deeply she had to share it with the world. It was a picture of an officer standing in the sun, saluting his fallen comrade. Alongside of him was an unidentified young man who was shading him with an umbrella.
Weber wrote the following on her Facebook post: “If anyone knows who this young man is, holding an umbrella over this officer saluting Mazany’s funeral procession in this crazy heat…Tell him thank you. What a good person.”
There was another photo of the man from behind. He had his hat off with one arm behind his back and shading the police officer with the other arm. The man was later identified as Marko Groshe.
It is a simple act of kindness but one that has touched many people
One Facebook user wrote, “Thank you young man for thinking of someone else. And thanks to all who put their lives on the line for us.”
Mazany was a police officer with the Mentor department for 14 years. He leaves behind a wife and son.
His wife, Lisa Mazany thanked the community for their support with the following statement:
“Through our grief and tears, my family and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the community and to the Mentor Police Department for the outpouring of support that we have received. We are humbled and so deeply touched beyond words by our community for standing with us and supporting us through this tragedy.”
Many talked about how much Mazany loved his job and how he became a police officer after following his childhood dream.
His best friend, Jamie bassell summed it up by saying “He’s a hero now, to the community and to you guys.”