More than 300 attend vigil honoring Morrow County sheriff's deputy killed on Memorial Day
Two and a half years ago, a woman said in an online post shared by a pastor, Morrow County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Weston Sherrer responded to a domestic violence call and saved the lives of four girls in the process.
Sherrer again responded to a domestic violence call on Memorial Day, May 26, that would lead to him being fatally shot.
More than 300 people — including police officers and deputies from several central Ohio law enforcement agencies— came together on the evening of May 29 at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office for a candlelight memorial to pay their respects and honor the life of Sherrer.
Nearly all in attendance sported "thin blue line" shirts, flags and pins, while others wore custom T-shirts remembering Sherrer as a selfless person and law enforcement officer who was willing to put his life on the line for others. Others sported black armbands to show mourning. Some also purchased blue and white signs saying, "We support Morrow County Law Enforcement."
After sermons from two local pastors — one of whom told the story about Sherrer rescuing the four girls— the attendees received candles and lit them in honor of Sherrer. There was a brief moment of silence as blue and red lights from parked police vehicles shone in the background. The vigil also included an honor guard presentation from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a bagpipe performance, and the singing of the U.S. national anthem.
On the evening of Memorial Day, Sherrer responded to a domestic violence call and gunshots fired at a home in the 100 block of County Road 26 (Olive Green Marengo Fulton Road) at the intersection with County Road 15 (West Liberty-Mount Vernon Road), south of Marengo, according to the sheriff's office. On arrival, Sherrer went to the home and encountered Brian Michael Wilson, 53. Wilson threatened Sherrer several times before the two exchanged gunfire, killing Sherrer and injuring Wilson, according to an arrest affidavit.
Sherrer was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died. Wilson was also transported to a local hospital in serious condition. He has been charged with aggravated murder in Sherrer's death.
Attendees who spoke with The Dispatch at the vigil said their immediate reaction upon news of Sherrer's death was sadness and shock.
Matthew Roshan, 31, is a police officer with the Galion Police Department, just north of Mt. Gilead, but started his law enforcement career at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and said that while he interacted with Sherrer only a handful of times, he doesn't recall ever not seeing a smile on Sherrer's face.
"I came to show support for a brother," said Roshan. He also said that even with Sherrer's death, it wouldn't stop him from continuing to do his job as a police officer in Galion.
"I was devastated, lost for words," said Lyndsey Wilcox, 38, who has lived in Morrow County since 2006. She noted that Sherrer's death was abnormal in Morrow County. She spearheaded the vigil and said she wanted to show support for the community and law enforcement.
"This is what we do for our community," said Wilcox. "(Mt. Gilead) has a small-town feel, and we're all family here."
Charles Johnson, a 74-year-old pastor at Friend's Church in Spencerville, Allen County, said he heard about the shooting over the radio and decided to make the nearly two-hour drive to show support for the MCSO.
"I'm grieving, hoping, and praying," said Johnson, holding a Bible in his hands.
Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Gilead said that visitation for Sherrer will be held on June 3 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Northmoor High School, 7819 State Route 19, Galion. Funeral services will take place on June 4 at 11 a.m. at the same high school. Private graveside services will follow at Marion Cemetery.
Sherrer was honored with a police escort procession from the Montgomery County Coroner's Office in Dayton to Mount Gilead on May 28, which attracted hundreds of attendees in downtown Mount Gilead.
During a press conference the day after the shooting, Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton remembered Sherrer as a "godsend" for his office, the county, and the community.
Sherrer is survived by his fiancée, his parents, a sister, and other family members, according to Sherrer's obituary.
Dispatch reporter Nathan Hart contributed to this story.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Morrow County hosts vigil for Daniel Sherrer
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