Ohio police officers were killed while protecting others, chief says

WESTERVILLE, Ohio —Two police officers died after being shot Saturday in Westerville, Ohio, a northern suburb of Columbus, authorities said.

The officers were shot as they entered an apartment while responding to a 911 call that ended with a hangup, Westerfield Division of Police Chief Joe Morbitzer told reporters. Morbitzer said officers responded to what was a potential domestic situation, but didn't go into detail about the incident.

One officer died on the scene and one died at the hospital, the chief said.

They were identified as Eric Joering, 39, who had been with the department for 17 years, and Anthony Morelli, 54, who had served 30 years.

"Both officers gave their lives in the protection of others," Morbitzer said through tears. "Those are true American heroes."

A male suspect was wounded and hospitalized, police spokeswoman Christa Dickey said.

Two police officers shot in Westerville, Ohio

President Donald Trump tweeted his regrets.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers, their families, and everybody at the @WestervillePD," he wrote.

Morbitzer said the officers were two of the best in his department.

"This was their calling and they did it right. They knew how to do policing the right way," he said. "They were pillars in our department."