An Ohio sheriff’s deputy, stationed for traffic duty near the University of Cincinnati, was tragically killed on Friday after being hit by a car. The vehicle was driven by the father of a teenager who had been fatally shot by authorities just a day before, according to police reports.
The unidentified Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy was fatally struck around 1 p.m. near the university, which was hosting a graduation ceremony.
The deputy was directing traffic at an intersection when he was hit, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge told reporters at a news conference.
The deputy was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died.
He was not identified Friday. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as “wonderful and dedicated.”
“I knew the man, and I knew what a tremendous, tremendous person he is and what a tremendous loss we have all suffered,” she said.
The deputy retired a few months ago but continued to work as a “special deputy,” the sheriff said.
The driver involved in the incident was the father of an 18-year-old who had died in a police shooting on Thursday in Cincinnati. Following the collision, he was also hospitalized, officials stated.
During an afternoon commencement ceremony, UC President Neville Pinto called for a moment of silence in his opening remarks.
“Before we proceed, I regret to inform you of a tragic event today involving a Hamilton County deputy sheriff on Martin Luther King Drive,” announced Pinto. “This is a grave incident, and I would appreciate a moment of silence to honor this officer.”
The Cincinnati Police Department is leading the investigation into the deputy’s killing.
The son of the suspect was shot and killed Thursday as Cincinnati police officers chased four suspected car thieves in an encounter that lasted just six seconds.
The officers responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. about a Kia SUV stolen from Edgewood, Kentucky, when four suspects inside the car took off running, Fox 19 Now reported.
One officer ran after one suspect, while the other officer pursued another
One of the suspects had a handgun, Theetge said. The suspect allegedly pointed the gun, which had an extended magazine, at the officer, who opened fire, fatally striking the teen.
Two other suspects were caught and arrested, and one remains on the run.
