Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton identified Daniel Weston Sherrer, 31, as the deputy killed in a Memorial Day weekend shooting.
During a press conference May 27, the day after the shooting, Hinton said Sherrer was a “godsend” for the office, the community and the county.
“The guy was never in a bad mood, (he) always had a smile on his face. He would go out his way to see how your day was and crack a joke and (he) was just a great guy. He will be missed,” Hinton said.
Sherrer joined the sheriff’s office in May 2021.
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office deputy Daniel Sherrer, 31, who was killed in a shooting on May 26, 2025.
Sherrer is survived by his parents and “numerous loved ones”, according to Hinton. Funeral arrangements for Sherrer will be announced when they are finalized.
What happened in Morrow County on May 26?
Sherrer was responding to a domestic violence situation at a home on the 100 block of County Road 26 in Marengo on the evening of May 26 when an “officer involved shooting” occurred and a suspect fired at Sherrer, according to the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Sherrer was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital, where he died. The suspect was also shot and transported to a local hospital in serious condition, according to the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Hinton refused to identify the suspect at Tuesday’s press conference, saying the suspect did not deserve to have their name spoken by him.
“You will never hear his name come from my lips,” Hinton said.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are investigating the shooting.
How many Ohio officers have been killed in 2025?
Sherrer’s death is the second time an Ohio law enforcement officer has been killed in the line of duty in 2025.
Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, is accused of intentionally ramming his car into Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson, killing him while he worked traffic duty at a University of Cincinnati graduation on May 2, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Rodney Hinton Jr. in Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers’ courtroom for his arraignment on charges including aggravated murder in the killing of Hamilton County sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The ramming occurred the same day that Hinton and other family members met with Cincinnati police and watched bodycam footage of Hinton’s 18-year-old son, Ryan, being fatally shot by an officer on May 1.
Hinton’s lawyer, Clyde Bennett II, said his client was not in his right mind after watching the video and his actions were “”classic, mental illness, criminal conduct.”
A death penalty trial for Hinton is set to begin on Jan. 12, 2026.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost reacts to death of Sherrer
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement on Sherrer’s death Tuesday morning, saying his heart “was torn by the loss of yet another Ohio law enforcement officer, who paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community.”
“We are forever indebted to those who lay down their lives for others. I share in the anguish experienced by so many in this tight-knit community – my prayers are with Deputy Sherrer’s family, the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and all who wear the badge,” Yost said in the statement.
“My thanks to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for stepping up to lead the investigation at a time of crushing grief.”
This story is ongoing and will be updated.
Breaking and Trending News Reporter Nathan Hart can be reached at NHart@dispatch.com and at @NathanRHart on X and at nathanhart.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio sheriff’s deputy Daniel Sherrer killed on Memorial Day