2 Ohio police officers killed responding to 911 hang-up call

Suspect is in custody, but his condition and identity not released

Two police officers working for the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Westerville were shot and killed responding to a 911 hang-up call Saturday, police said.

Officers Anthony Morelli, 39, and Eric Joering, 54, arrived at a residence on Crosswind Drive at 12:10 p.m. and were “immediately met with gunfire,” Westerville police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at a news conference.

Officials said the officers may have walked into a “potential domestic” violence situation.

Morbitzer said Joering, a 17-year police veteran, was pronounced dead at the scene. Morelli was taken to the hospital, where he later died. Morelli was a member of the city’s bike patrol unit.

Police received the 911 call at 12:02 p.m., officials said. The caller hung up, prompting the police response to the apartment complex on the outskirts of Westerville.

“True American heroes,” Morbitzer said. “We will miss both of these officers because they were pillars in our department.”

Between sobs, the chief said they both “lived and breathed” the profession.

“They knew how to do policing the right way, both of them,” Morbitzer said. He asked that people keep the families of the officers in their prayers.

“I’m confident our staff will take them under their wings,” he said.

A suspect in the shooting is in custody, officials said. The condition and identity of the suspect have not been released.

Police were investigating Saturday evening; some residents came to deliver water and coffee to officers there.

Westerville is about 16 miles north of downtown Columbus.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Westerville native, on Saturday pledged the full support of the Ohio Highway Patrol if it is needed.

“I am very saddened to learn of the deaths of two of my hometown police officers today,” Kasich tweeted. “We will learn more soon about this tragic incident but please join me in lifting up these officers’ families in prayer.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown said “we are grateful to all Ohio law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.” President Donald Trump also tweeted his sympathies.