Family Mourns Ohio Worker Killed in Iraq

CLEVELAND – About 800 family, friends and strangers gathered Saturday to mourn an American security worker who was one of four killed last month in a brutal ambush by Iraqi insurgents and dragged through the streets of Fallujah.

Jerko “Jerry” Zovko, 32, was remembered as leader who always wanted to try to save the world.

“He wanted to help the Iraqis and he wanted to do it on their terms,” Zovko’s brother, Tom, told the mourners.

Zovko and three other men were killed March 31 when they were hit by rocket-propelled grenades in a rebel ambush in Fallujah. His employer, private security firm Blackwater USA, said the four may have been lured into an ambush by Iraqi civil defense workers.

Jubilant mobs dragged the burned bodies through the streets and hung two corpses from a bridge, but Zovko’s family did not know if he was one of them.

His parents, Jozo and Danica “Donna” Zovko, clutched each other as they entered St. John Roman Catholic Cathedral, decorated with lilies for Easter Sunday. Donna Zovko kissed a program with her son’s picture as she was seated.

The service was held largely in Croatian, reflecting the Zovko family heritage.

Zovko was born in Cleveland and raised in suburban Euclid. He spent a year at Ohio State University. Then, a visit to his grandparents in their native war-torn Croatia inspired him to enlist in the Army at age 19, family members said.

Zovko spent eight years on duty and was discharged as a sergeant in 2001. He then did security work overseas.

Zovko’s brother, Tom, read from a condolence note sent by an American who knew Jerry Zovko in Iraq, describing him as a renegade who found time to create a rooftop pool in a desert barracks and was willing to be a leader.

The Rev. Edward Estok called Zovko a freedom fighter.

“We are called to live in freedom,” Estok said. “We salute his sacrifice.”