Deputy, Suspect Dead in Ohio Standoff

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News

ENON, Ohio - A sheriff's deputy investigating a report of gunfire at a trailer park was shot dead Saturday, and the shooting suspect was killed after a gun battle with police, authorities said. A police officer was wounded.

The slain deputy was married and was the mother of two children, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said. He didn't release the names of the deputy or the suspect killed in the standoff in Enon Beach, about 50 miles west of Columbus.

The deputy was shot as she tried to photograph a footprint in the mobile-home park, which sits near a highway, Kelly said.

"Our deputy never had the opportunity to return fire or take cover," he said at a press conference.

Police officers were trying to retrieve the deputy's body when the suspect fired on them from inside a trailer, and a German Township officer was wounded in a large exchange of gunfire, Kelly said. There were "many, many, many" shots fired by the suspect and police, he said.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/01/national/main7203967.shtml?tag=stack

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RIP Deputy. Sad start to a new year.

[AlecBGreen]

1. very sad :(

I cant help but feel the down economy and the toxic anti-government atmosphere is going to cause more of these tragedies :(

[virgogal]

2. Awful.

[lib2DaBone]

3. "When people have nothing to lose.. they lose it".....

Just wait until they strip Social Security and Medicare from the working poor.. you ain't seen nothin' yet...

[sendero]

10. Suicide by cop..

... unfortunately using homicide of cop to achieve.

And I agree with you, these sorts of things are about to ramp up as the permanently disenfranchised realize they have been left behind.

[DemReadingDU]

19. Not necessarily.

There is a rumor the suspect killed himself. The investigation is ongoing, details will be coming out.

[emilyg]

4. How sad.

[sharesunited]

5. Guns and ammo in the hands of the public.

This is the result. This will perpetually be the result.

[sendero]

11. Yeah..

.. I only want the government and the police to have that stuff. :sarcasm:

[sharesunited]

16. Planning to go to war with the government and the police?

We've already had our Civil War. Enough already.

[saras]

6. So what happened?

I'd like a better quality source than CBS before coming to any conclusions at all. The story tells us pretty much nothing - no connection between the 'shots fired' and the 'suspect', no background, a 15-year-old quoted as the only character reference regarding the suspect, romantic piffle about the officer's children - did the suspect have children?

Given the number of stories on DU and other progressive sites regarding out-of-control officers, well, I just have to stay agnostic on this one.

[greiner3]

9. Perhaps you'd prefer Fox as the only source?

Would you complain if PBS were the source? How about Democracy Now? The Drudge Report?

I do not understand your complaint that there is only one source for the OP's report. This is common practice at DU and it is up to everyone who does not believe the story to dig a bit further to satisfy themselves. If contradictory evidence is found it is up to that digger to post a rebuttal and then it is off to the races.

[Mortos]

12. "...romantic piffle about the officer's children - did the suspect have children?"

That comes across as pretty fucking hateful against the female cop who was assassinated while holding a fucking camera. I don't give a rats ass if that piece of shit who shot her had kids other than to think they are better off without a sneaky cowardly murderer as a father. The hate against cops by some people here is sickening. The story gives enough information to establish that the female deputy was not being a "fascist" or denying the suspect his rights or any of the other popular cop bashing precepts held by folks like you. She was taking a picture of a footprint when the suspect opened his door and shot her at close range with a shotgun. You really need to reevaluate your sense of decency and humanity if you find it ok to mock a murdered female deputy or her family.


And the descriptions of what her fellow officers tried to do to recover her body are nothing short of heart-breakingly heroic.

Police officers were trying to retrieve the deputy's body when the suspect fired on them from inside a trailer, and a German Township officer was wounded in a large exchange of gunfire, Kelly said. There were "many, many, many" shots fired by the suspect and police, he said.

Enon Beach resident Angelina Inman said she looked out of her trailer to see the deputy lying on the ground. She watched as another officer tried to reach her body.

"He was itching to get her," Inman said. "He kept radioing in, can he please get her, and he was told no because it wasn't secure. You could see that male sheriff crying — he wanted to get her, he wanted to get her bad."

[cartach]

20. #6 =scumbag

There seems to be an inordinate number of commenters on DU who like to spew out their hatred of anything that represents authority. DU gives them the opportunity to hide behind a keyboard and rant and rave because they haven't the balls to do it face to face and obviously represent the psychopaths and/or convicted felons section of DU.

[Mortos]

21. When an officer is killed or injured and the story is linked on DU

it gets a couple of dozen responses. If some dirtbag criminal is justifiably killed, there are hundreds of outraged accusatory responses directed at the police department. I guess when the story doesn't fit your narrow preset narrative, you ignore it.

One of the reasons I no longer proudly declare myself a member of this website. I am still a member, just not as proud as I used to be.

I hate extremist behavior, wherever it occurs.

[DemReadingDU]

14. check post #13, I posted videos from local news sources

[msanthrope]

24. Your post makes me vomit. Enjoy your stay. n/t

[SlipperySlope]

7. (Deleted)

[Supply Side Jesus]

8. Many shots...see the debris flying off the trailer?

that pic was taken while they exchanged shots with the suspect. some very dramatic photos taken.

162 officers died while on duty in 2010, over a third were killed by gunfire.

I'll keep her family in my thoughts, especially her children her children.


Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Waughtel Hopper
Clark County Sheriff's Office
Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, January 1, 2011

Biographical Info
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, January 1, 2011
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Hopper was shot and killed after responding to a call of a window being shot out at a trailer park in Enon.

While conducting a preliminary investigation Deputy Hopper observed a footprint and took out a camera to photograph it. As she took photographs a male opened the door to his trailer and fired one shot at Deputy Hopper with a shotgun, killing her.

Additional deputies and officers from area police departments arrived at the scene and surrounded the trailer. A standoff ensued in which dozens of shots were fired between the suspect and officers. A police officer from the German Township Police Department was wounded and the suspect was ultimately killed during the shootout.

Deputy Hopper had served with the Clark County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. She is survived by her husband and two children.

[DemReadingDU]

13. videos from local news sources

1/1/11 Interviews with local residents
http://www.whiotv.com/video/26340813/index.html 7 minutes video


1/1/11 Sheriff Kelly interview, press conference. 10 minutes
http://abc.daytonsnewssource.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wkef_vid_5207.shtml


P.S. I am from this area, lived here about 20 years, appx 5 miles south of the shootings. We are landlocked, there really is no 'beach'. The Enon Beach is actually a small lake with campers and trailers. We have met Sheriff Kelly, he is one of the best. We do not know the officers who were shot. This is very tragic for our village.

info about Enon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enon,_Ohio


Edit to include today's newspaper articles

1/2/11 Deputy responded to report of shots fired
Residents say gunshot shattered a window in their Enon Beach trailer.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime/deputy-responded-to-report-of-shots-fired-1043657.html

1/2/11 Deputy was ‘good woman,’ true professional
Condolences pouring in for mother of two who was an 11-year veteran of Sheriff’s Office.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime/deputy-was-good-woman-true-professional-1043683.html

[Corey_Baker08]

17. I Live In Darke County, Ohio which is About 1 Hour From This Terrible Tragedy

hi my fellow Miami Valley, Ohio DU'er! :hi:

this is simply a terrible tragedy and a shock to our communities. The economy in this part of Ohio has been hit hard with job losses and you mix that with the holidays and possibly a little alcohol and depression and a tragic situation like this occurs even in what is mainly a rural farming community like ours.

As a college student majoring in Criminal Justice and as a Security Officer that works and lives in this area I am just shocked and saddened by this entire tragic and unnecessary chain of events.

RIP Deputy Suzanne Hopper & Get Well Soon to the German Township Officer Who Was Shot

[DemReadingDU]

18. It is tragic to begin a new year with such tragedy

I would hope that the investigation would help officers learn from this when handling future situations.

Good luck in your college studies.
:hi:

[Corey_Baker08]

25. The Funeral Is Open To The Public...I Will Be There, What About You?

I just feel that when a tragedy like this happens in our small close knit community, whether you are in law enforcement or not, it is my duty to pay my respects to the Deputy and her family and for that matter all law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty...

I hope you can or will go, it would be nice to meet a fellow DU'er... I will be going by myself on behalf of the Security company out of Dayton that I work for and as a student of criminal justice and this community that is heartbroken over this terrible tragedy...

[DemReadingDU]

29. I believe we will attend

Spouse had met Deputy Hopper a few months ago, and we know Sheriff Kelly. Our son is a Dayton officer, and may be able to ride in the funeral procession of police vehicles. There is going to be so many people there, I would think that the viewing hours Thursday will need to be extended. This is just so sad and tragic.

SPRINGFIELD — Funeral services for fallen Clark County Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Waughtel Hopper will be held this Friday, officials have announced.

The service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at First Christian Church, 3638 Middle Urbana Road.

Visitation will be held at the church Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., officials said.

Memorial contributions to the Suzanne Waughtel Hopper Memorial Fund can be made at any Huntington National Bank.

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/deputys-funeral-set-memorial-fund-established-1044711.html

[Tansy_Gold]

32. will be with you in spirit, DRDU.

:hug:


TG

[DemReadingDU]

15. Major news story everywhere

http://www.google.com/search?q=enon%20ohio&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&rlz=1I7GGLR_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn

[Corey_Baker08]

22. I Will Be Attending The Funeral Of Deputy Suzanne Waughtel-Hopper, To Pay My Respects...

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[boppers]

28. So, no sympathy for the mentally ill, then? Gotcha.

This is a tragedy all around.

[AngryOldDem]

30. It is. Another failure of the broken mental health system.

Story says he was still under the observation of mental health caseworkers as of a month ago. Make that overwhelmed and stressed-out-themselves mental health caseworkers.

Don't know much about the background of this guy, but it sounds like he could have spent more time institutionalized, if such facilities were still available in that part of Ohio. The last inpatient mental hospital closed about three years ago in Dayton, and patients there were referred to either Toledo or Cincinnati for care.

(Note: I'm not defending what he did at all. Just pointing out how the mental health system does not work anymore.)

[DemReadingDU]

31. Ferryman has been in and out of mental facilities since 2001

1/4/11 Shooter was involved in similar incident with a deputy in 2001

In Sept. 5, 2001, deputies went to AEP Recreational Land — located near McConnelsville, Ohio — to investigate a report that Ferryman shot at campers who were taking wood from a community firewood pile, claiming it was his wood, according to Morgan County Sheriff Thomas Jenkins.

“Mr. Ferryman came out and fired a shot in the general direction of an officer, but in the air,” Jenkins recalled.

The deputies retreated and law enforcement officials from around the area evacuated two nearby campers, and set up a perimeter more than 100 yards away from Ferryman’s trailer in an isolated area of the campground. Ferryman remained barricaded in the trailer overnight until Sept. 6, with Ferryman occasionally coming out to shoot at officers, but never injuring anyone, said Jenkins.

The standoff ended peacefully that afternoon after negotiators were able to talk him into surrendering.

Jenkins said officers recovered several weapons from the trailer, including a shotgun, rifle and a crossbow. The weapons remain in evidence. Ferryman was charged with felonious assault, stemming from the 26-hour standoff in which he fired shots at officers.

Ferryman was found mentally incompetent to stand trial, and was admitted to the Timothy B. Moritz Forensic Unit, a maximum security psychiatric facility on the campus of the state’s Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare campus in Columbus, for competency restoration to stand trial.

According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health, he was discharged back into the court system in 2003, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

He was re-admitted to Moritz on May 1, 2003, and was transferred to Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare in Cambridge, a facility that’s now closed but previously served Morgan County.

He was conditionally released from that facility in 2005 after the Morgan County courts approved a discharge plan with Mental Health Services of Clark County and a forensic monitor overseeing his progress, according to state records. He was released to Clark County because it was determined that Ferryman had a support system here, said Trudy Sharp, Ohio Department of Mental Health communications director.

The terms of the release included residing at 2401 Enon Road, the address of Enon Beach Campground; not having any weapons; taking medications as determined in his treatment plan and following the plan; submitting to drug testing; and meeting with case managers and monitors assigned to him, according to documents obtained by the News-Sun.

He was evaluated by the facility again in 2008.

He was still reportedly under the supervision of mental-health case workers when Hopper was killed this past weekend.

No one is alleging that the tragedy that unfolded Saturday could have been prevented, but state mental-health officials say reviews likely will happen.

more...
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime/shooter-was-involved-in-similar-incident-with-a-deputy-in-2001-1044768.html

[Corey_Baker08]

33. I Have Sympathy for the Mentally But The Fact Is This Guy Knew What He Was Doing & Knew It Was Wrong

The killer who had beenh in a similar shootout with Police a decade ago and yes maybe he was let down by the system, or maybe he just knew how to work the system.

I do agree that this is a all around unneccary tragedy for all involved not only for the fallen officers and their families but also for the family of the killer.

[Evasporque]

26. I am sure the purp was a crazed Obama socialist....nt

[Corey_Baker08]

27. I Bet He Was a Crazed Tea Bagger Anti-Government Card Carryin Member of the NRA Psycho Piece of Shit

In fact Im sure he was...