Veteran Sheriff Detective Shot & Killed, ‘Suicidal’ Suspect in Custody

Clermont County Sheriff Detective Bill Brewer, a 22 year veteran died of gunshot wounds while responding to call of a barricaded suicidal man. He leaves behind a wife and 5 year old son. Pray for his family and an end to violence against police.
Clermont County Sheriff Detective Bill Brewer, a 22 year veteran died of gunshot wounds while responding to call of a barricaded suicidal man. He leaves behind a wife and 5 year old son. Pray for his family and an end to violence against police. (Courtesy of the Clermont County Sheriff's Office)

February 3, 2019 – In Breaking News – CNN

It began with a bizarre call to 911, police say. It ended about 12 hours later with a deputy dead, another injured and a suspect in custody.

According to the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, located just outside Cincinnati, Detective Bill Brewer and Lt. Nick DeRose responded Saturday evening to a 911 caller who initially told a dispatcher that he thought someone was in his home.

The man said he was armed and later said he was suicidal, according to a police news release.

(Det. Bill Brewer, a 20-year veteran of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office with a wife and 5-year-old son, has been identified as the deputy killed in a 12-hour standoff at an apartment complex that started Saturday night and ended Sunday morning. Courtesy of WCPO.com | 9 On Your Side and YouTube. Posted on Feb 3, 2019.)

When officers arrived, they couldn’t contact the man, who had barricaded himself inside his apartment, Capt. Jeff Sellars said.

Around 8:15 p.m., shots were fired from the apartment, Sellars said.

Lieutenant Nick DeRose (Courtesy of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office)

Pierce Township Police requested a multi-agency response team. Police identified the man who opened fire as 23-year-old Wade Winn.

Ten minutes later, the team arrived and tried to negotiate with Winn, Sellars said, but more shots were fired.

At 10:37 p.m., more shots were fired from inside the apartment, Sellars said. Brewer and DeRose were struck, police said.

DeRose was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

Brewer died from gunshot wounds at Mercy Health Anderson Hospital. The 20-year veteran of the sheriff’s office leaves behind a wife and 5-year-old son, police said.

Sheriff Steve Leahy
Sheriff Steve Leahy

Sheriff’s deputies and a SWAT team took Winn into custody “after they endured a barrage of gunfire generated by Winn,” a police news release said.

“Deputy Brewer gave his life attempting to help a person who was admittedly suicidal,” Sheriff Steve Leahy said.

“This will forever change the atmosphere of the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.”

Sellars told CNN affiliate WCPO that a two-alarm fire broke out early Sunday at the apartment complex where the standoff unfolded.

Continue reading… Deputy killed during 12-hour Ohio standoff with suicidal man, police say

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(Clermont County Sheriff Steve Leahy discusses his departments use of directed patrols to combat the opioid drug epidemic, and how he believes it has been successful in keeping the county safe. Courtesy of Cincyborn and YouTube. Posted on Oct 18, 2017.)

Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Clermont County Sheriff Detective Bill Brewer, both blood and blue. Thank you for your bravery in serving the citizens of Ohio with pride and distinction. You will not be forgotten.

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