On March 20, 2021, East Washington Mayor Mike Gomber (due to Covid 19–safety for residence is important) held Private Hero’s Ceremony to Honor and Memorialize, Officer John David Dryer in EW Memorial Park and Thayer Street Park to be renamed after Nicholas Cumer.

East Washington has been blessed with a community filled with special individuals, which we would like to thank and honor them for what they do for their neighbors and the community said Mayor Gomber.

Today, we wanted to honor two of our special individuals who served and/or lived in our community, which are East Washington Hero’s.

East Washington Police Officer John David Dryer, Officer Dryer’s end of watch was December 19, 2011. Officer Dryer had served as a part-time officer with the East Washington Borough Police Department for 16 months and Donegal Township Police Department for a total of 16 years. He is survived by his son and parent. Mayor Gomber stated, ” We have an annual service with his family and many of the other police from other local communities yearly and each of our East Washington Officers share the same dedication as officer Dryer to our Community to Serve and Protect our Residence.” We had donations from members of the community for a Marble Bench just placed in East Washington Memorial Park. Donations for the bench were provided by Andy Uram, Tom Uram, Mary Taufer, Mike Manfredi, Washington Fraternal Order of Police, John D., John B. and Jeff L. from Washington Fraternal Order of Masons, Doug Corwin, Demond Nixon, Jerry Coleman, Chief Dave Bradley, Jerry Cypher, Tim Hurney, Chuck McHugh, Mike Gomber. Scott Harden, Christa Harden.

On April 6 2020 council voted to rename Thayer Street Park after Nicholas Cumer. On March 15, 2021, East Washington Boro Council began efforts to make this change with the purchase of new signage for East Washington Thayer Park with Nicholas Cumer’s name. More information about this soon.

On August 31, 2019, a CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR NICHOLAS CUMER WAS HELD AT WASH HIGH Washington High School in memory of Nicholas Cumer. Cumer, a 2012 alumnus of Wash High, was one of the nine victims killed in the shooting in Dayton, Ohio on August 4. He was completing his last week of an internship at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance in Dayton. On the day of his passing, a group of former high school classmates began to coordinate the event. Benjamin Marasco is one of those classmates. Cumer and Marasco attended elementary and middle school at Central Christian Academy, graduated from Wash High together, and attended Washington Alliance Church. Cumer was well-loved by people from all areas of his life – school, church, and the community. According to Marasco, “Nick had a lot of friends in many different places here in Washington. With his winning personality, selflessness, and incredible sense of humor, Nicholas made everyone feel like they were his very best friend.” The Wash High family will remember his talent, joy, and leadership through his involvement – from the classroom to sports, the Prexie Performers to leading the band as Drum Major. “In times of mourning,” Marasco added, “It is important not to isolate oneself. We are designed to heal through the community. This is a time for the community to mourn together and laugh together as we remember Nick’s positive and unique impact on so many lives.”

Below was the Proclamation for Nicholas Cumer presented on August 18, 2019, to the Cumer family, by East Washington Mayor Michael Gomber East Washington Borough issued a Proclamation commemorating the outstanding actions of Nicholas P. Cumer at the shooting that occurred in Dayton, Ohio on August 4, 2019. As a community, we were affected and mourn his passing. We have a great community with great people. Nicholas was one of our community’s best. He exhibited uncommon bravery when he made the ultimate sacrifice by protecting others and preventing the additional loss of life and injuries.

Therefore, The Mayor of East Washington Borough, Michael Gomber, issued the following Proclamation:

1. This Proclamation was issued for the purpose of commemorating and celebrating the outstanding life of Nicholas P. Cumer.
2. This Proclamation will become an official record of East Washington Borough.
3. A certified copy of this Proclamation will be retained in the Official Minute Book of East Washington Borough.

This Proclamation was issued on the 18th day of August 2019 by the Mayor of East Washington and supported by Mayor Scott Putman, State Senator Camera Bartolotta, State Representative Tim O’Neal, Washington and Jefferson College President Dr. John Knapp, and CFO Jim Irwin, Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Kotula, President of Council Matt Boice, Commissioners Harlan Shober, Larry Maggi, and Diana Irey, Washington Health System CEO Brook Ward, Police Chief David Bradley, Police Chief Robert Wilson, Fire Chief Gerald Coleman and members of our Community.