Deputy Sheriff Killed

(Near Waldo, Ohio) A report from the Ohio News Network:

A veteran sheriff's deputy on an early morning call was shot and killed early Thursday morning.

Brandy Winfield, age 29, was found shot in his overturned cruiser. Winfield was a six-year veteran of the Marion County Sheriff's Department.

He leaves behind a wife and two young children. His father and brother are both Marion city police officers.

The whole incident started around 4 a.m. Thursday morning along SR 423 near Waldo, which is six miles south of Marion.

Deputy Winfield was responding to a report of a disabled vehicle and he radioed in that he saw two men walking along the highway, the sheriff's office said.

A short time later, all radio transmissions ended. Winfield's cruiser was found upside down in a ditch, and Winfield had been shot in the head.

A suspect was arrested at the scene and another showed up at the local hospital while a third is still being sought.

We should never forget that there is nothing routine in the life of a police officer. Condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Winfield.

[Update 4:45pm EDT] From nbc4i.com:

(Waldo, Ohio) Authorities on Thursday released a photo of the man who they said shot and killed a Marion County sheriff's deputy earlier in the morning.


Juan Carlos Cruz
Delaware County Sheriff Al Myers released the photo of Juan Carlos Cruz, 20, who allegedly shot Winfield.

Described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, Cruz is considered armed and dangerous.

As a precaution, the Buckeye Valley School District was placed on lockdown and a section of S.R. 423 was closed by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Anyone with information should call the Delaware Police Department.