Ohio Police Response to Cleveland Police Officer Shooting Death

(WJW) – Ohio police officers expressed their condolences early Thursday on the shooting death of a 27-year-old Cleveland police officer.

The four-year Cleveland police officer was killed shortly before 1 a.m. while attempting to arrest a suspect on aggravated assault charges near Wade Park, authorities said. The officer’s name has not been released.

A 24-year-old Cleveland man was arrested and charged with aggravated murder, the FOX 8 I-Team reported.

“This is a very sad day for the officer’s family, his family in blue and the city of Cleveland,” Cleveland Police Union President Andy Gasiewski said Thursday morning.

Other police departments released the following statements on social media on Thursday morning:

Shaker Heights Police Department

The Shaker Heights Police Department is deeply saddened to learn of the killing of a 27-year-old Cleveland Police Officer in the line of duty. We mourn the loss of the Officer today and extend our deepest condolences to his family and the Cleveland Police Department. We ask that our community keep the Officer and his family in their thoughts.

Fairlawn Police Department

This morning, we learned with great sadness the tragic news of the death of a Cleveland Police Officer. The officer was fatally shot while attempting to arrest a suspect. The Fairlawn Police Department extends its deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the Cleveland Police Department during this difficult time. Our condolences and prayers go out to the officer’s family, his colleagues, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.

Fairport Harbor Police Department

On behalf of the Fairport Harbor Police Department, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the Cleveland Police Officer killed in the line of duty last night.

Burton Village Police Department

We are saddened by the loss of a Cleveland Police Officer who died in the line of duty. The officer was shot and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Chardon Police Station

Members of the Solon Police Department are saddened to hear of the news that a Cleveland Police Officer was shot and killed in the line of duty last night. The 27-year-old officer’s name has not been released pending notification. Please keep the CPD and their family and friends in mind and pray for them.

Chardon Police Station

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cleveland Police Department and the family of their officer killed in the line of duty this morning.

Perkins Township Police Department

The news of the death of a Cleveland Police Officer is a tragic reminder of the dangers first responders face every day. We are deeply saddened by the bravery and sacrifice of this hero in the line of duty.

We send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the deceased officer, his family, colleagues and the entire Cleveland Police Department during this incredibly difficult time. Their courage will never be forgotten.

According to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, nine other Northeast Ohio police officers have died in criminal incidents while on duty in the past decade. Cleveland Police Department fatalities include:

• Shane Bartek, who was killed during a carjacking on Cleveland’s west side on December 31, 2021, was shot twice while struggling with the suspect for their gun.

• James Michael Skernivitz, who was shot and killed while inside a car during an attempted robbery near West 65th Street and Storer Avenue in Cleveland on September 3, 2020.

• David J. Fahey Jr. was killed by a fleeing driver on January 24, 2017 while rendering aid at the scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 90.