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From NAPWDA -

On March 25, 2000, at 6:53 A.M., Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department, Jefferson, Ohio, K9 Deputy William Niemi and K9 Cero were enroute to a call that a shooting had just taken place on a residential side street, just around the corner from the Sheriff's Department. Other officers from the Sheriff's Department as well as the on duty officer from the Jefferson Village Police Department were also enroute. They were advised by dispatch that a victim was lying in the street and that the suspect male was now walking along the side street towards the main intersection where there is a Dairy Mart and other stores with people present. Deputy Niemi arrived in the area and observed the suspect walking on the sidewalk, wearing a black rain type coat with what appeared to be the barrel of a long gun sticking out from the bottom of the black coat. As a Sheriff's Department Sergeant and another Deputy arrived on scene, the suspect stopped walking. The Sergeant ordered the suspect to put the gun down several times. The suspect started to turn to his right and then spun around, raising the shotgun and pointing it in the direction of the Sergeant and other Deputy. The suspect opened fire at the Deputy's patrol vehicle, with the first shot striking the vehicle windshield while the Deputy was still sitting in the driver's seat. The Deputy took cover as he exited the vehicle and moved to the rear near the trunk lid. The suspect continued firing his weapon, striking the same patrol vehicle and shooting out the rear windshield. Rounds fired by the suspect during this time also struck other patrol vehicles and houses.

At this time the suspect threw the shotgun down into the middle of the street after emptying it. During this time, the other officers on scene were returning fire at the suspect. The suspect turned and began to walk away at a fast pace and took cover behind a tree. As the suspect began to flee, Deputy Niemi commanded K9 Cero to apprehend the suspect. At the same time several other officers began to change positions. K9 Cero engaged the suspect on the arm and held on, diverting the suspect’s attention away from two officers who were out in the open and vulnerable at that time. The suspect pulled a .22 caliber revolver and shot K9 Cero through the front chest as K9 Cero was still holding onto the subject's arm. At this time K9 Cero let go of the suspect due to the gunshot. The bullet traveled through K9 Cero's chest and lodged in his heart. The suspect then began firing at the officers again. The suspect was shot a number of additional times and fell to the ground. Even while on the ground the suspect continued to fire his weapon at the officers. Finally the suspect dropped the weapon from his hand at which time officers rushed him, kicked the weapon away and secured the suspect. Rescue was called, as was the department vet. The suspect was transported to a hospital and at a point in time was pronounced DOA.K9 Cero did not survive his wound and passed away after giving his life for his handler, Deputy William Niemi as well as for the other officers present and especially for those citizens who were living and visiting in that area. K9 Cero is the first law enforcement K9 in northeast Ohio to be killed in the Line of Duty. All will miss him dearly. He has passed on to above to keep an eye on all of us. K9 Cero is one of the Guardians of the Night. God bless and watch over him.

Cero, a European imported German shepherd, responded to German commands as well as to hand signals, police said. "I'm a German shepherd advocate. The breed is intelligent and loyal beyond belief," Lt. Joseph Bernardo said, in a previous story about police dogs at work. "They are the best partners an officer can have. They're the only breed willing to lay down his life to protect yours, without a second thought." "Cero did just that: gave his life to protect fellow officers," Johnson said. Cero was the smallest of the four county K9 units, weighing in at 65 pounds. In addition to other cases and routine drug sweeps, the dog previously aided in locating an Ashtabula convenience store robbery suspect in a hiding place behind a woodpile, Bernardo said.

The K9 teams make arrests, which might have been missed without the dogs' special talents, he added. At any given time, there is at least one team on duty, ready to track suspects, conduct drug searches and, most importantly, protect their partners and other law enforcement officers to the point of death, if necessary, he added. "Once the bond between dog and trainer is there, it's there," Bernardo said. This bond makes it difficult for officers to place the dog in harm's way, but they realize what the dog's job is: to protect fellow officers, he said. "Ashtabula County is a good county. It just goes to show, there is no defense against this type of violence anywhere," he said. "We utilize any and all resources we can get our hands on. Today, in this line of work, we can never have enough resources," Johnson said. Johnson said the dogs are a necessity today. "They are a tremendous asset to our department. They can't be outrun and they can get into places an officer can't," he said. "We're reaping the benefits, and the dogs are getting better and better," Johnson said. Saturday, the benefit was paid for with Deputy Cero's life.

From the Star Beacon By FRANK OBERNYER Staff Writer JEFFERSON -

Ashtabula County Deputy "Cero" never hesitated in duty to save and protect his fellow officers

CERO, ASHTABULA County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit, was shot and killed as he attempted to protect law enforcement officers at a shoot-out in Jefferson on Saturday. 

One of four fully trained K-9 teams patrolling the county; Cero was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday morning, when he protected fellow officers from gun-wielding Levi Ridenour, who allegedly murdered Jefferson resident Walter Olson. "There is no doubt in my mind or in my officers' minds, Cero saved two officers lives today," Ashtabula County Sheriff William R. Johnson said. " (Ridenour) was in (Ashtabula Street) with a shotgun when the K9 attacked. Cero diverted the shooter's attention, who fired point blank at the police dog with a pistol," Johnson said. Ridenour, who was shot several times by officers, was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, where he died shortly thereafter. Johnson said Cero will be sorely missed. He said he couldn't say enough to convey his department's feelings about the loss of a fellow officer. "Cero died in the line of duty. Our officers will feel the void of his absence on the midnight shift. Cero was devoted and bonded to his trainer, Deputy Bill Niemi, and was a friend to all uniformed officers on the force," Johnson said. Niemi was not available for comment.

K-9 CERO                                         End of Watch MARCH 25, 2000

Handler: Bill Nemi

Agency: Ashtabula County Sheriff

Read more on K9 CERO at his K9 Memorial Card