Northeast Ohioans attending, protecting Republican convention: I-Team

MILWAUKEE (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has found local people attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee even after an attempted assassination , Saturday, injured former President Donald Trump.

And, we’ve learned deputies from Northeast Ohio are helping with security at the Convention.

Some of your neighbors attending just spoke out to the I-Team saying last weekend’s political violence doesn’t make them worried. Instead, more determined to support the former president.

We caught up with Cleveland homicide detective Steve Loomis as he drove to the convention with local businessman Ron Amburgey.

Loomis went to the convention as a private citizen and a delegate.

“Why go? It’s historical. I’m a delegate,” he said.

Amburgey runs the Name Brand Paint stores and he said he’s going to the convention as a guest.

They told the I-Team they have no fears or second thoughts days after the shooting of former President Trump.

“There is gonna be plenty of security,” Loomis said. “For every police officer, cop you see, there’s gonna be three or four that aren’t that you will never see.”

Steve Loomis served as police union president back in 2016 when Republicans held their convention in Cleveland. Again, this time Loomis is taking part as a private citizen.

And, folks from Ohio attending the convention may see some familiar faces keeping them safe in Milwaukee. We’ve learned, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has sent 18 deputies to help with convention security.

Cleveland police, however, did not send anyone. We reported last month, the Safety Director wanted to send Cleveland police officers to help with the Republican and Democratic national conventions. But, Council members pushed back, saying, Cleveland police are too short-staffed to send help.

We, first, met Ron Amburgey in 2020 donating masks to first-responders during the COVID-19 outbreak. He and Loomis believe Donald Trump has always supported police, and Trump deserves more support than ever after being targeted by gunfire.

“I can’t imagine a tougher human being on the face of the planet,” Loomis said. “The things that that man has been through.”

Given all that happened, we asked the veteran detective what advice he’d give those keeping the peace at the Convention.

“My advice to them would be keep your head on a swivel, and, just, stay calm,” he said.

As for the local deputies helping with convention security, no one in charge of the security in Milwaukee is discussing specific assignments.

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