Ohio police officer wounded in weekend shooting dies
COLUMBUS, Ohio-- An Ohio police officer died two days after he wascritically wounded when a man opened fire on a SWAT team trying to arrest him for allegedly setting his estranged wife's house ablaze, officials said.
Columbus police said Officer Steven M. Smith died late Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by his family. He was 54 years old.
Lincoln Rutledge, of Columbus, shot Smith and held police at bay for several hours on Sunday after officers tried to arrest him for the fire, which was set the day before, police said.
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald released a statement following Smith's death, saying Smith was no stranger to the dangers of police work.
McDonald said Smith had been shot in the line of duty before, in 2013.
"While others might have turned away, he heroically returned to duty," said McDonald. "We join his family and friends in celebrating his life and service while mourning his senseless death."
A Franklin County Municipal Court judge earlier Tuesday ordered the 44-year-old Rutledge held without bond on charges of felonious assault and aggravated arson. The judge cited concerns about a risk to public safety if Rutledge was released. A public defender assigned to Rutledge declined to discuss the charges against him.
Rutledge's former employer, Ohio State University, and others have commented on Rutledge's erratic behavior over recent months.
His roommate and co-worker told OSU police Rutledge "attacked him with a hammer" and made reference to "eating a Glock," a type of handgun, CBS affiliate WBNS reported.
The roommate told police Rutledge may have been in the midst of a mental breakdown and accused him of "being a fed." He said Rutledge also told him "he was not taking his medication."
Rutledge's ex-wife told police he was diagnosed with PTSD and thought he stopped taking his medication several months ago.
A statement from the university says Rutledge resigned April 3, 2016 as an information technology security engineer. He requested leave on Feb. 1.
"His I.T. and building access were revoked on March 23, 2016, when he began to behave erratically while on leave," the statement says. Ohio State said it arranged for wellness checks on Rutledge and encouraged him to contact its employee assistance program.
Smith was a 27-year veteran of the Columbus police force. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years and two adult children.
Smith is the 54th Columbus police officer killed in the line of duty.
A preliminary hearing for Rutledge has been set for April 21.