SHELBY — A Shelby police officer stabbed Saturday night before he shot and killed his assailant was released from the hospital Sunday.
Sgt. Noah Kocher, 25, was released late Sunday evening from OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital after treatment for wounds sustained at an Arby’s restaurant, according to Shelby police Chief Lance Combs,
In a press release Monday afternoon, Combs said Kocher is on paid administrative leave pending completion of the investigation of the incident by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
“This is part of the normal process for an event of this nature and is dictated by policy,” the chief said.
According to previous Richland Source reporting, two officers at 11:18 p.m. went to the Arby’s restaurant at 234 Mansfield Ave. to serve a warrant from Shelby Municipal Court on Tyler S. Jacobs, 31.
After making contact with Jacobs and advising him of the warrant, Jacobs stabbed Kocher in the neck with a knife, the chief said Sunday.
Kocher, a military veteran, was able to back away from Jacobs, who then ran towards Kocher with knife still in hand. Kocher then drew his gun and fired several times, striking Jacobs.
Jacobs died during surgery, the chief said.
According to the Richland County Coroner’s Office, Jacobs’ body was taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for autopsy.
On Monday, Combs declined additional comment and referred questions to BCI.
Combs said the last officer-involved shooting he’s aware of involved Travis Hadley in March of 2021.
“That was on Seneca Drive and he (Hadley) was firing rifle shots from his disabled vehicle and was ultimately shot and wounded by our officers,” the chief said Monday.
BCI continues to investigate incident
The incident occurred more than an hour after the Arby’s was reportedly closed.
According to the company’s website, the restaurant is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A spokesperson for Arby’s released the following statement Sunday afternoon:
“We are aware of the incident that occurred at our franchised location in Shelby, OH. The franchisee is cooperating fully with the police in their investigation. Given that this is an active investigation, we defer any further comment to the local police department.”
No spokesperson for Arby’s could be reached by time of publication Monday to confirm whether Jacobs was an employee.
BCI was requested by the Shelby Police Department to investigate the officer-involved shooting and process the scene, according to BCI spokesman Steve Irwin.
Irwin told Richland Source on Monday he was unsure if Jacobs was employed by Arby’s.
“BCI’s investigation is active and ongoing. We don’t have any additional details to share at this point in the investigation,” Irwin said.
“Procedurally, once BCI’s investigation is complete, it will be referred to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office.”
