An Ohio deputy was tragically killed on Friday when a vehicle struck him near the University of Cincinnati around 1 PM. The driver of the car was identified as Rodney Hinton Jr., an 18-year-old whose father had been shot by police just a day prior.
The Cincinnati Police Chief, Teresa Tegge, noted that the deputy was directing traffic when he became trapped. After the accident, he was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but unfortunately did not survive.
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffy spoke highly of the deputy, referring to him as “great and dedicated.” She expressed her sorrow, saying, “I knew the guy, and I knew how incredible he was. It’s a tremendous loss for us all.”
During a ceremony, University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto took a moment to address the incident, asking for a moment of silence to honor the fallen officer. He remarked on the seriousness of the situation and the need to pay respects.
According to local reports, Hinton had previously pleaded guilty to assault and aggravated threats in Middletown City Court in 2023, resulting in a year of probation with restrictions on contacting the victim.
In another development, police chased four car theft suspects for about six seconds earlier that day. They responded to a report of a stolen Kia SUV, and during the pursuit, one suspect allegedly threatened an officer with a gun. Two individuals have been arrested in connection to this case, while one remains at large.
