Morrow County, Ohio Mourns Fallen Deputy Daniel Sherrer, Killed in the Line of Duty on Memorial Day
MORROW COUNTY, OHIO — A somber wave has swept across Morrow County and the broader Ohio law enforcement community as they mourn the devastating loss of Deputy Daniel Sherrer, 31, who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024.
Deputy Sherrer was performing the very duty he had sworn to uphold—protecting the safety of others—when he was met with unexpected and fatal violence. The call came in late Monday afternoon, and Deputy Sherrer was dispatched to a home where tensions had escalated dangerously. Details from the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office reveal that shortly after arriving at the scene, Sherrer was ambushed and gunned down in what authorities have described as a “senseless and heartbreaking act of violence.”
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but despite their efforts, Deputy Sherrer succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident, and charges are pending as the investigation unfolds.
The loss has shaken not only the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office but law enforcement agencies across the state. Flags were lowered to half-staff on Tuesday in honor of the fallen deputy, and condolences have poured in from fellow officers, government officials, and community members who are struggling to come to terms with the tragic event.
“Deputy Daniel Sherrer was a dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton during a press briefing. “He was committed to protecting the people of Morrow County, and he carried out his duties with courage, honor, and integrity. Today, we grieve not only the loss of a colleague but of a brother and a friend.”
Deputy Sherrer joined the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office in 2018, quickly gaining the respect of his peers for his professionalism, empathy, and calm presence under pressure. Known among colleagues for his easy smile and steady demeanor, Sherrer was also remembered as a loving husband and devoted father to two young children. His death leaves a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and the community he served so faithfully.
Memorial Day, a time set aside to honor the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes, took on a painful new significance this year in Morrow County. As the nation paused to remember those who have died in military service, residents here also mourned a new name added to the roll of the fallen—one who died not on a distant battlefield, but right here at home, serving his community.
Vigils have been held across the county, with hundreds gathering in public squares, churches, and outside the sheriff’s office to pay their respects. Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now form a growing memorial near the department’s flagpole, where mourners have left messages of gratitude, sorrow, and solidarity.
“His loss is immeasurable,” said Lieutenant Rebecca Morales, a colleague who worked alongside Sherrer since his first day on the force. “He wasn’t just a great deputy—he was the kind of man who brought people together, who calmed things down when tensions rose, who genuinely cared about making a difference.”
Governor Mike DeWine released a statement extending his sympathies: “Ohio grieves today with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and the family of Deputy Daniel Sherrer. His bravery and selflessness in the face of danger exemplify the very best of law enforcement. We will honor his memory, and we will not forget his sacrifice.”
Plans for a public memorial service are currently underway. Law enforcement agencies from across Ohio and beyond are expected to attend, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in solemn tribute to a life taken too soon in the service of others.
Deputy Daniel Sherrer’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the colleagues he mentored, and the community he helped protect. Though his watch has ended, his spirit endures—in the badge, in the oath, and in the hearts of those who carry on his mission of service and protection.
He is survived by his wife, their two children, his parents, and a grieving law enforcement family that now must carry on without one of its own. As the community struggles to make sense of this tragedy, one truth remains steadfast: Deputy Sherrer died a hero. And in Morrow County, he will never be forgotten.