Holly MatkinCincinnati, OH – Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Deputy Marcus Zeigler died in the line of duty on Friday after suffering a medical emergency while participating in activities at the law enforcement academy.
The HCSO said in a press release on Saturday that the 36-year-old deputy was attending the Peace Officer Training Academy at Great Oaks when the incident occurred.
Details regarding what activities he was participating in when the medical emergency struck were not released.
Deputy Zeigler’s exact cause of death was also not immediately available.
“It is with great sadness that Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey announces the passing of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcus Zeigler,” the HCSO said in the press release.
The department described Deputy Zeigler as “happy and helpful,” and said he was “proud to be a deputy.”
“Deputy Zeigler made a strong impression on us from the moment he started,” Sheriff McGuffey said. “His smile is unforgettable. He was also known for loving his family and wanting to leave a legacy they could be proud of. And he did just that.”
Deputy Zeigler served the HCSO for nine months.
He also instructed concealed carry classes, his family told WLWT.
“I was sold proud of him,” his aunt, Deloris Palmer, told the news outlet. “He said ‘Auntie, I did it, and this is something I wanted to do and I made it and I’m going to go further,’ and I told him you can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Deputy Zeigler leaves behind his wife and high school sweetheart, Cassaundra, and his five children, Dutchess, Gionnie, Marcus, Aziah Miles, and Dominique, WLWT reported.
His children range in age from five to 15.
Deputy Zeigler will be laid to rest on June 2.
It is with great sadness that Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey announces the passing of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcus Zeigler.
Deputy Zeigler was with HCSO for 9 months and was enrolled at our Peace Officer Training Academy at Greak Oaks. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/kRwB2r6Qq1
— Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (@hcso_org) May 27, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Marcus Zeigler, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
