Sgt. Scott Ries of the Rittman Police Department died in the line of duty Sunday night, becoming the latest Ohio officer added to a growing list of law enforcement gunfire deaths this year.
Ries, 54, had served with the Rittman Police Department for 10 years, joining full time in 2018 and earning promotion to sergeant on Oct. 9, 2023. Before joining Rittman police, he worked as a deputy for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and as an officer for the Sugar Grove Police Department in Fairfield County. A native of Doylestown, Ries was remembered by those who knew him as a devoted father who was active in his daughters’ cheerleading activities, showing up year after year to help run a dunk tank fundraiser at the town square with his wife.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags flown at half-staff at public buildings across Wayne County and at the Ohio Statehouse in Ries’ honor, an order that will remain in effect until sunset on the day of his funeral. Rittman Mayor Rudy Arnold issued a similar order for flags across the city. Hundreds of residents lined the streets of Rittman on Monday as a procession escorted Ries to a funeral home, and law enforcement agencies across northeast Ohio and beyond issued statements mourning his death and extending condolences to his family, the Rittman Police Department and the Wayne County community. A candlelight vigil in his honor was organized at the Rittman police station.
Ries was one of several officers who responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired at a home on Chippewa Trail in Rittman at approximately 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers from the Rittman Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office arrived together and came under immediate gunfire, according to a joint statement from Rittman Police Chief Robert Shows and the sheriffs of Wayne and Medina counties.
Ries was struck by gunfire and died at the scene. Four additional deputies from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office were also struck. Two were taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition, while two others were treated at the scene and released. A Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Vick was also shot and underwent surgery, and remained in serious condition at an animal hospital as of Monday.
The suspected shooter was identified as 38-year-old Brandon Fazekas. He was found dead inside the home from a gunshot wound the Wayne County Coroner’s Office said was consistent with suicide. Two other people inside the home were also killed: 43-year-old Christine McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley McWilliams. Investigators believe Fazekas was McWilliams’ ex-partner.
A neighbor who lives next to the home told reporters he heard as many as 75 gunshots during the incident and said Fazekas appeared to be firing at officers from an upstairs bedroom window. At least six law enforcement vehicles, including units from Rittman, Wayne County, Wooster and Smithville police agencies, were towed from the scene overnight, several bearing bullet holes.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the investigation.
