Officer Killed, Two Officers Injured After Responding To Shots Fired Call In Wayne County
WAYNE COUNTY — A Rittman police officer was killed in the line of duty and two other officers were injured after law enforcement responded to a disturbance and shots fired call in Wayne County late Sunday night.
The fallen officer has been identified as Rittman Police Sgt. Scott Ries, a 54-year-old career peace officer and 10-year veteran of the Rittman Police Department.
According to Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger, the Wayne County dispatch center received a 911 call around 9:30 p.m. reporting a disturbance and shots fired. Officers responded to the area and, according to Ballinger, immediately came under fire.
“At this point in time, we have lost an officer in the line of duty,” Ballinger said during a press briefing.
Ballinger said two other officers were injured during the incident. A Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was also injured. The suspect is deceased, along with two other victims, according to the sheriff.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now handling the officer-involved critical incident.
During the briefing, Ballinger was joined by Captain Chris Conwell of the Medina County Sheriff’s Office. Officials did not take questions at that time, and no names or conditions of the injured officers and K-9 were released during the initial briefing.
On July 6, the Rittman Police Department and the City of Rittman released a statement identifying Sgt. Ries as the officer killed in the line of duty.
“It is with profound sadness that the Rittman Police Department and the City of Rittman announces the tragic loss of Sgt. Scott Ries who was killed in the line of duty responding to a disturbance call,” the release stated.
The department said Sgt. Ries served with honor and courage, demonstrating an enduring commitment to protecting others and upholding the values of the department.
“Our hearts are broken with this unimaginable loss,” the release stated. “We are grateful for the outpouring support from our community and law enforcement partners.”
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also issued a statement honoring Sgt. Ries.
“A career peace officer, Sgt. Ries dedicated his life to serving and protecting others,” Wilson said. “He made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. My prayers are with his family, his fellow officers and everyone at the Rittman Police Department.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Ries previously served as a deputy sheriff with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and as an officer with the Sugar Grove Police Department in Fairfield County before serving with the Rittman Police Department.
Rittman Mayor Rudy Arnold has issued a proclamation ordering flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff at all City of Rittman facilities, effective immediately. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Sgt. Ries’ interment.
In the proclamation, Arnold said Sgt. Ries “made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of his fellow residents,” adding that the City of Rittman is forever indebted to him and his family for that sacrifice.
The mayor also called on residents and businesses to join in the observance and to keep Sgt. Ries’ family, the wounded officers and the entire community in their thoughts and prayers.
The incident remains under active investigation by BCI.
No additional names or conditions of the wounded officers or injured K-9 have been released in the provided updates.
This remains a developing story.
