EUCLID, Ohio (WJW) — The Euclid police officer killed in the line of duty Saturday night has been identified as 23-year-old Jacob Derbin, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.
Authorities said Sunday night, the manhunt for the suspected shooter, identified as Deshawn Anthony Vaughn, is over.
He was tracked to an address in Shaker Heights Sunday afternoon, and following a standoff, he was found deceased inside.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday ruled Vaughn, 24, died by suicide, caused by a gunshot wound to the head.
An investigation is underway, being conducted by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was heavily armed.
Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer told the I-TEAM that Officer Derbin was an “incredible” person and Meyer and the entire department are “devastated.”
The officer was a military veteran and was on the force for less than two years.
According to Euclid police, officers were dispatched to a home in the 300 block of East 211th Street for a disturbance around 9:56 p.m. Saturday. While police were investigating, a gunman ambushed Derbin, striking him with gunfire, according to police.
Derbin was taken to an area hospital but did not survive.
Sunday evening, Euclid police released more information regarding the shooting, saying a woman had called the authorities saying the father of her child was threatening to “harm her and her mother.”
Upon arrival, police spoke with the woman who said the suspect was probably nearby. The ambush occurred in the backyard of the residence. No other officers were injured in the shooting and the suspect ran from the scene as officer returned fire.
“The Euclid Police Department asks that you keep the fallen Officer, his family, loved ones, and our agency in your thoughts and prayers,” according to a statement from police.
“He was an amazing human being. Just a great heart. Had an incredible smile. The world’s a better place with him in it,” said Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following statement regarding Derbin’s death:
“The promise to protect is signed with the blood of our officers. The killer who ambushed Officer Derbin will be found and will receive the full measure of justice. It is a cruel irony that a mother lost her son on Mother’s Day, and that this murder happened just as we prepare to solemnize our fallen during Police Memorial Week. My heart burns with anger at this injustice, for the family of this young officer and the Euclid Police Department.”
Derbin was in his first year with the department.
The Euclid Police Department requested assistance from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation to investigate the officer-involved critical incident.
In the wake of Derbin’s death, Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered some flags throughout the state lowered to half-staff.