The Freeman

Two Ohio cops killed while responding to emergency call

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WASHINGTON —Two Ohio police officers were shot and killed while responding to an emergency call during a possible domestic violence incident yesterday, authoritie­s said.

Officers Anthony Morelli, 54, and Eric Joering, 39, were "immediatel­y met with gunfire" when they arrived around noon at an apartment in Westervill­e, Police Chief Joe Morbitzer told reporters.

Morelli had served on the force for 29 years, while Joering had been with Westervill­e police for 16 years.

The officers responded after police received a 911 call and the caller hung up.

"These were two of the best we have. This was their calling, and they did it right," Morbitzer said, choking back tears.

A procession was held in honor of the fallen officers.

The suspect, who was wounded and taken to a local hospital, is now in police custody. Police did not immediatel­y confirm the suspect's condition.

The incident prompted President Donald Trump to share his condolence­s on Twitter.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers, their families, and everybody at the @Westervill­ePD," he wrote.

Ohio Governor John Kasich, who calls Westervill­e his home town, said the officers' "deaths are a terrible tragedy for my hometown of Westervill­e and all of Ohio."

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