01/24/2021
K-9 Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz was a Christian man madly in love with his wife, Lorraine. They had three beautiful children, Caleb, Calen and Haylie.
Born on July 14, 1971, Jeff grew up in Mount Kisco, NY then moved down to Florida where he played wide receiver and defensive back on the football team his senior year at Northside Christian School in 1989.
Jeff went on to college at Florida Southern then Palm Beach Atlantic, where he courted Lorainne, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1993. A short time later, he and Lorainne married.
Quick and agile with a degree in psychology, Jeff was certainly ready for police work. He was sworn in as a St. Petersburg Police Officer on October 4, 1999. His athleticism and level head made him an asset to the SWAT Team, and the Department’s flag football team.
In 2008, Jeff endured the grueling tryout to become a K-9 handler and was chosen to be in the unit. He and “Ace” were an outstanding team.
10 years ago this morning, Jeff and Ace were about to head home after the night shift when he heard the radio call for backup. Without hesitation, he responded, voluntarily assigning himself to support other officers in need… as he had always done.
Jeff gave his life that morning while fulfilling his life’s calling, honorably serving the St. Petersburg Police Department with distinction, bravery and heroism, ensuring the citizens of St. Petersburg could live safely and peaceably, enjoying a good quality of life.
Jeff loved being a police officer.
As a husband, father, son, brother, friend, colleague and police officer, Jeff’s life was filled with purpose and meaning, passion and faith. Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz lived life to its fullest measure . . . and lived it well.
It’s not how Jeff died that made him a hero, it’s how he lived.
We miss him every day.