MOUNT GILEAD — Capital punishment will be sought in connection with the May 26 shooting death of Morrow County Deputy Daniel “Weston” Sherrer, according to a statement made on Friday by Prosecutor Andrew Wick.
“After consultation with [the] deputy sheriff’s family, law enforcement community, in review of the facts and circumstances around this case, upon conviction, it would be my intention to seek the death penalty,” Wick said.
Wick spoke during a press conference after a Morrow County Grand Jury returned a 14-count indictment against Brian Wilson, the alleged shooter.
“I am committing to, if you harm a member of law enforcement in Morrow County, that you will be put in jail.” Wick said.
“We will seek a kind of bond that you will not be able to get out of jail, and that you will then go to prison for as long as we possibly can make it.”
Wilson’s initial court appearance took place on Tuesday, where his bond was set at $5 million on a charge of aggravated murder.
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald sat by Wick’s side at Friday’s press conference.
“This is a heinous murder of a young man who was just trying to serve his community, and all he ever wanted to do his whole life was serve his community,” McDonald said.
“When you bring violence to a law enforcement officer, you’ll bring chaos and mayhem to the general public, and you should be met with the stiffest penalties allowed by law.”
Sherrer, 31, responded to an emergency call reporting a domestic situation at a residence in the 100 block of County Road 26 in Marengo.
Authorities say in an exchange of gunfire the deputy was shot and transported to a hospital, where he died.
The defendant was also shot and was transported to a hospital, according to Sheriff John L. Hinton.
Wilson was eventually released from the hospital and transported to the Delaware County Jail.
A Celebration of Life was held for Sherrer at Northmor High School in Iberia on Wednesday. The event was attended by hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Ohio.
“I stand committed with my office and our law enforcement community to seek justice for the fallen deputy, Daniel Sherrer, and the law enforcement community in Morrow County,” Wick said.
Indictment
Wilson was indicted on the following counts:
Count 1: Aggravated Murder for the purpose of killing Deputy Daniel Sherrer
Count 2: Aggravated Murder for the purposeful and premeditated killing of Deputy Daniel Sherrer
Count 3: Murder
Count 4: Felonious Assault on a police officer, causing serious physical harm
Count 5: Felonious Assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon
Count 6: Attempted murder of the defendant’s brother-in-law
Count 7: Attempted aggravated murder of the defendant’s brother-in-law
Count 8: Felonious Assault on the defendant’s brother-in-law
Count 9: Domestic Violence
Count 10: Unlawful discharge of a firearm into a habitation
Count 11: Unlawful discharge of a firearm on or across the public roadway
Count 12 & 13: Possession of a firearm
Count 14: Discharge of a firearm while intoxicated.
Counts 1 – 11 have specifications that would require an additional three-year sentence for the defendant’s use of firearms.