Girard, OH – A Girard Police Department officer was murdered Saturday night after responding to a call of a suicidal person.

The incident happened Saturday night at around 10 PM when officers responded to a suicidal person at 408 Indiana Ave in the city’s Parkwood area.

Tribune Chronicle reports that whe n officers arrived, the man seemed calm, but he then opened fire on officers.

One officer was shot in the chest. The second officer returned fire and gave the oxygen thief what he wanted.

The suspect was pronounced dead on scene.

The officer was transported to the hospital in critical condition where he died half an hour later.

Girard Mayor Jim Melfi announced that the officer died, saying, “This is the worst experience I have had; I am heartbroken.”

~~The officer was wearing his ballistic vest at the time he was shot.~~

UPDATE: FOX8 reports that while the officer was initially reported to be wearing his ballistic vest, he actually did not have his vest on at the time he was shot.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Girard Police Department and the family of the murdered hero.

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