By Associated Press
BATAVIA, Ohio ā A sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed during a 12-hour standoff at an apartment complex in Ohio that left another deputy wounded and a suspect in custody, authorities said Sunday.
Capt. Jeff Sellars of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office said officers responded about 7 p.m. Saturday to the Royal Oaks Apartments in Pierce Township, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Cincinnati, following a 911 call from a man who said he believed someone was inside of his residence.
Authorities say the caller then said that he was armed and eventually told the dispatcher that he was suicidal.
But it was unclear from authorities’ statements whether the caller was referring to himself or to the person he said was inside his home. It was also unclear whether the suspect himself made the call.
Authorities found only one person in the home.
The 23-year-old man taken into custody is likely to be charged with aggravated murder, according to a spokesman for Ohio’s attorney general.
Spokesman David O’Neil said Sunday he couldn’t confirm where the suspect was being held or whether any charges had been filed.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office said Detective Bill Brewer died from his wounds. O’Neil says the other deputy, Lt. Nick DeRose, was treated for a gunshot wound in the ankle and released from a hospital.
Today, Clermont County Commissioners join all the elected officials and employees of Clermont County in mourning a brave deputy sheriff who lost his life in the line of duty. God bless these men and all our first responders. https://t.co/khsFEpE38P pic.twitter.com/Qbx2LCWkIg
ā Clermont County (@ClermontCounty) February 3, 2019
“Deputy Brewer gave his life attempting to help a person who was admittedly suicidal,” Sheriff Steve Leahy said in the release. “This will forever change the atmosphere of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.”
Authorities have said that the investigation is ongoing.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a later release that Brewer’s “valor is now recorded for all time, written in blood.”
“We mourn and we will remember,” Yost said.
Today I have ordered that flags of the U.S. and Ohio be lowered to half staff at the#OhioStatehouse and Clermont County in honor of the service of Officer Bill Brewer until sunset the day of his interment. pic.twitter.com/ptbFsgdG0H
ā Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine) February 3, 2019
Detective Bill Brewer, a married father of a 5-year-old son & a 20-year veteran of @ClermontSheriff, was killed & his partner injured in a gun battle this morning. @NYPDnews is thinking of these heroes today, & keeping their families & colleagues close to our hearts. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/a6btDZRoAX
ā Commissioner O’Neill (@NYPDONeill) February 3, 2019
