The Morrow County prosecutor said he will seek the death penalty for a man charged in the fatal shooting of a sheriff’s deputy.
Prosecutor Andrew Wick announced at a June 6 press conference additional charges against Brian Michael Wilson, 53, who was previously charged with aggravated murder in the May 26 shooting of Deputy Daniel Sherrer, 31.
“If you harm a member of law enforcement in Morrow County, then you will be put in jail, we will seek high enough bonds that you will not be able to get out of jail, and then you will go to prison for as long as it is possible,” Wick said, reading from a brief prepared statement.
Wilson faces a total of 14 criminal counts, including murder, two counts of aggravated murder, felonious assault, felonious assault on a peace officer, felonious assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, attempted aggravated murder and several other charges.
Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton carries the cap of sheriff deputy Daniel “Weston” Sherrer following his funeral at Northmor High School in Galion, Ohio on June 4, 2025. Sherrer was killed while responding to a domestic violence dispute on May 26.
The two attempted murder charges and the felonious assault charge are related to Wilson firing a gun at his brother in law, Wick said.
Wick declined to answer questions at the press conference. He appeared next to Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton and Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald.
The day before, McDonald announced the formation of a “Protect Ohio Police” political action committee at a press conference in Columbus and said all people who attack law enforcement should be imprisoned and face strong sentences. Wick said he was answering that call.
Sherrer was responding to a report of gunshots in the 100 block of County Road 26 at the County Road 15 intersection near Marengo. When Sherrer arrived, a neighbor warned that Wilson remarked that he didn’t care if he lived or died that night, according to court records.
Wilson was sitting on the porch holding a gun and threatened Sherrer as he approached, according to court records. The two exchanged gunfire, killing Sherrer and injuring Wilson.
Wick said at Wilson’s initial court appearance that Wilson threatened three people that night and fired at two.
Wilson’s bond was set at $5 million, and he remains imprisoned in the Delaware County Jail.
Ohio hasn’t executed anyone since 2018. As of February, the state had 113 prisoners on death row.
Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio prosecutor seeks death penalty in killing of Morrow County Deputy