Wheeling Officers Honor Fallen Ohio Police Sergeant

Members of the Wheeling Police Department joined law enforcement agencies from across the region in honoring the life of an Ohio police sergeant killed in the line of duty.

Wheeling officers traveled to Rittman on Friday to pay tribute to Sgt. Scott D. Ries, who was killed July 5 while responding to a reported break-in and shots fired at a home in Wayne County.

“Today Wheeling Police were proud to support our brothers and sisters in Ohio,” the department said in a Facebook post. “We attended and honored the life of Sgt. Scott D. Ries of the Rittman Police Department. He was killed in the line of duty on July 5th. Rest in Peace and know we have your watch now.”

According to the Rittman Police Department, officers responded around 9:30 p.m. July 5 to a 911 call reporting a break-in and gunfire at a home on Chippewa Trail. Authorities said officers came under immediate gunfire upon arrival.

Ries was killed during the exchange of gunfire. Officials said the suspected shooter and two victims, identified as the suspect’s former partner and her 13-year-old child, were found dead inside the home.

Four responding deputies from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office also were struck by gunfire. Two deputies were taken to a hospital and were reported in stable condition, while two others were treated at the scene. Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Vick also was injured and remained in serious condition.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the officer-involved critical incident.

Law enforcement agencies from Ohio and surrounding states attended services to show support for Ries’ family, the Rittman Police Department and the community he served.