Officers mourn death of one of their own
Police agencies across Ohio are mourning the death of Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric DiSario, who was shot to death Friday morning while responding to a report of a shooting at a local nursing home.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said that DiSario had “engaged” with the shooter as deputies rushed to back him up. By the time deputies arrived, they found DiSario lying in the street, Thorp said.
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald said in a statement that the tragedy is felt across the state.
“His brothers and sisters of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio join me in mourning this loss, but we also celebrate Chief DiSario’s service and quick action to keep others safe from harm,” McDonald said.
President Mark Emde, of FOP Licking County Lodge No. 127, noted that DiSario had been chief of Kirkersville for only a month when he “exposed himself to danger in order to keep others safe.”
“Chief DiSario gave his life for his community and for that we will be eternally grateful,” Emde said. “The Fraternal Order of Police will work to ensure that his sacrifice is never forgotten. We ask that you join us in praying for Chief DiSario’s family and the community as they heal from this tragedy.”
DiSario is the 873rd Ohio law officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1823, according to the Officer Down Memorial website.
Others who have been killed since the beginning of last year:
Jan. 24, 2017: Officer David J. Fahey Jr., of the Cleveland Police Department, was killed by a hit-and-run driver along Interstate 90 as he set out warning flares at the scene of a fatal wreck.
Oct. 18, 2016: Patrolman Aaron Jackson Christian, of the Chesapeake Police Department in Lawrence County in southern Ohio, was killed when his patrol car left the road and hit a tree.
Sept. 15, 2016: Trooper Kenneth V. Velez, of the State Highway Patrol, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop on I-90 in Cuyahoga County.
May 19, 2016: Officer Sean Johnson, of the Hilliard Division of Police, was killed in a motorcycle crash while he was taking part in a training exercise.
April 12, 2016: Officer Steven Michael Smith, of the Columbus Division of Police, died several days after he was shot while working as part of a SWAT team serving a felony warrant.
Jan. 17, 2016: Officer Thomas Wayne Cottrell Jr., of the Danville Police Department in Knox County, was shot to death in an ambush.