TOLEDO, Ohio — The city of Toledo is mourning the loss of Officer Brandon Stalker, 24, who died after an hours-long armed standoff Monday, according to the Toledo Police Department.
The department said just before 4 p.m. Monday, Toledo Police Gang Task Force spotted Christopher Harris, 27, who was wanted for arson and vandalism at a Toledo cathedral. Officers attempted to stop him, but Harris pulled out a firearm and went into his house.
After two hours of attempted negotiation with Harris, Toledo Police SWAT team deployed tear gas into Harris’ home in an attempt to get him to surrender.
Officer Brandon Stalker. Courtesy of the Toledo Police Department.
Toledo police said Harris came out of his home with a gun in both hands “and fired shots in multiple directions.” Officers returned fire.
Stalker was shot and transported to Mercy St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Harris was also transported and pronounced dead.
“The entire Toledo Police family is in shock. Another hero has paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the residents of Toledo,” said Police Chief George Kral.
Stalker joined the police department in 2018 and leaves behind a fiancé and two children.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement saying his heart breaks for Stalker’s family and the police department.
“A man of valor and honor was killed, but valor and honor live on in his tens of thousands of partners across Ohio. Most of us live in peace and safety because people like Officer Stalker spend their working day at risk of violence,” Yost wrote.
The Dayton Police Department expressed their condolences on Twitter.
Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters @ToledoPolice as they mourn the loss of Officer Brandon Stalker who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, January 18.
Our officers will wear mourning bands on their badges in honor of Off. Stalker’s life and his sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/BLbRM3l39O— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) January 19, 2021
A GoFundMe has also been set up to benefit the family during the difficult time.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said his city’s department “has had to endure too many dark and terrible days in the last six months,” with the July on-duty killing of 26-year-old Officer Anthony Dia and the unexpected death of an officer just a few weeks ago.
“This has been a very difficult time,” Kapszukiewicz said. “It is a very difficult day for the city.”
Gov. Mike DeWine ordered U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at all public buildings and grounds throughout Lucas County and at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.
Toledo is heartbroken tonight over the loss of @ToledoPolice Officer Brandon Stalker, who was shot and killed in the line of duty while protecting its citizens. A fantastic Officer and a proud new dad, his loss will be felt forever. We will never forget his service and sacrifice.
— Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (@wadekaps) January 19, 2021
As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, crews were working to remove graffiti Harris is accused of doing.
Crews are working to remove the graffiti at the Rosary Cathedral in Toledo. You can still smell the burned wood. The suspect police believe is responsible for these crimes is who shot & killed TPD officer Brandon Stalker in the line of duty. For now the words “Black Jesus” remain pic.twitter.com/nrhuktO1BE
— Micaela Marshall (@MMarshallTV) January 19, 2021
