National Football League

Browns send jersey to family of fallen officer

Published Nov. 21, 2014 10:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

AKRON, Ohio - Fallen Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner was a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan and season ticket holder who wore a No. 33 custom jersey with "Crime Dawg" on the nameplate to most Browns games.

The Browns organization sent a care package to Winebrenner's family this week that included an authentic No. 33 jersey with "Winebrenner" stitched across the back.

Winebrenner, 32, was off duty when he was shot and killed last Sunday morning while trying to escort an unruly patron out of Papa Don's Pub in Akron. Four others were wounded.

Members of the Browns organization huddled upon hearing of Winebrenner's death and wanted to send condolences. On Thursday, the numbers and letters were sewn on the jersey in the team's equipment room. The jersey, a Browns blanket and a card were delivered to Akron police chief James Nice.

The jersey the Browns sent to the family of Justin Winebrenner (left) and the one Winebrenner wore to many games (right)

Friends wrote on social media this week that Winebrenner never missed a Browns game. His fiancee, Tiffany Miller, bought season tickets two seasons ago and Winebrenner bought two of his own before this season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers held a moment of silence for Winebrenner before last Monday night's game vs. the Denver Nuggets.

Winebrenner was a graduate of Barberton High School and the University of Akron. He followed his father, Rob, a retired police officer, into the law enforcement field and had been with the Akron Police for seven years.

Calling hours for Winebrenner will be held Friday afternoon at the University of Akron's JAR Arena. The funeral is Saturday morning, also at the JAR.