Officer Yaslowitz's family lifted up in prayer | News

Clearwater, Florida - It was an emotional worship service at the church where one of the St. Petersburg police officers who was killed in the line of duty Monday attended with his wife, Lorraine, and their three children.

With heavy hearts, church members got out of their seats and gathered near the pulpit surrounding Officer Yaslowitz's family to pray with them.

William Rice, the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, at 110 N. McMullen Booth in Clearwater, said "I just want some of our people who are close by to just come by and stand around you right now and just pray over this family - just some of our people come right now and let's just get a bunch of folks to surround them in prayer representative of our entire church."

Jeffrey Yaslowitz's sister, Stephanie, and her husband, Brandon, seemed deeply moved during the service. Stephanie cried and smiled as church members whispered comforting words of support in her ear.

Pastor Rice added, "We're so grateful that Jeffrey knew you and that he built his life on that foundation and if someone asks how should he be remembered, his family has said, 'Friends have said he loved his family and was a man of faith.'"

Steve Galloway had been friends with Jeffrey Yaslowitz since they were teens. They attended college together but, more recently, they'd bring their families to the church to worship together.

Galloway says, "The way he passed away and what he was doing when he passed away hit me hard and, this week, I'll tell you I've held my kids a little tighter and said I love you to my wife just a couple more times."

Ron Cooney is a student pastor at the church and says, "This is when people begin to ask the why questions and, at a time like this, it's time for believers to not stutter and to be able to speak truth. The Bible talks about that. There's a peace that God can give that surpasses all understanding and, at a time like this, there is no question that what we're calling on is for God's peace to come down on us and the family."

Pastor Rice ended the prayer by saying, "And I pray this terrible tragedy will somehow be used by you to remind us about what is really important in life."