Victim Assistance Services

Housing fund set up for family whose security was destroyed by Copley shootings

By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer

When an unprecedented tragedy strikes a community as it did in Copley Township last month, when a man shot and killed seven people, the magnitude can be overwhelming.

Even those who are charged with helping the victims can wonder how to begin to meet the needs of the survivors.

Within a week of the Aug. 7 shooting in the small, close-knit Summit County community, a group of women began meeting with the help of Victim Assistance Executive Director the Rev. Bob Denton to discuss how best to protect and provide for those left in the wake of the tragedy.

The weekly sessions continue. They assess the needs and brainstorm ways to wrap the survivors in a blanket of security.

“We had to organize all the events. It was such a sad time,” said Copley Township trustee Helen Humphrys, who lives in the neighborhood and watched many of those who were slain grow up.

Click here to read more of this story at ohio.com.

Victim Assistance Program has released the following statement on behalf of the Johnson family:

"The Johnson family would like to thank everyone for all their thoughts, prayers, posts, donations, care and concern in this very difficult time.

The support the community has given us is overwhelming. Russ, Gertie, Bryan and Autumn were loved by many and will be forever missed.

There are no words for the loss we are all experiencing. Copley is our home and we love this community. The people here are so caring, loving and generous. We have no words to show how grateful we are for everything everyone is doing.

The weeks and months to come will be difficult and we appreciate your ongoing support. Please respect our privacy as we go through this difficult grieving process.

Please also pray for the Dieter and Shambaugh families. Private services have taken place. Thank you."

Kramer Family touched by tragedy says thank you

Open letter to the people of Copley Township:

We, the in-laws of Michael Johnson, wish to express our love and gratitude to the community of Copley Township for surrounding our family with support and protection during this trying time.

We would like to thank the Victim Assistance Program for helping Mike and his family from the very first day and who continue to do so. This is a wonderful program. Also our thanks go out to the Copley Police Department for their compassion and security. To all the other groups that have stepped up, we appreciate your hard work.

We cannot thank enough the friends and neighbors who took them in that day and continue to love and protect them. To my grandsons’ friends, thank you for standing by them. You are great friends.

To Pastor Jeff of Grace Church — Bath Campus, Paul Hummel and Candice Bertemes of Hummel Funeral Home, we thank you for your wonderful guidance and counseling.

People of Copley, you are wonderful!

We wish to extend our condolences to the other families who are suffering. May God bless you.

Dorothy Kramer and family, Canton