ThinBlueNews remembers Sergeant Scott Ries of the Rittman Police Department in Ohio, whose End of Watch was Sunday, July 5, 2026.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Sergeant Ries was shot and killed responding to a call near 90 Chippewa Trail in Rittman at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 5, 2026.
ODMP and the Akron Beacon Journal/Record-Courier report that after receiving a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired, officers from the Rittman Police Department, Medina County Sheriff's Office, and Wayne County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene and came under immediate gunfire. Sergeant Ries and four Medina County Sheriff's officers were struck. Sergeant Ries succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
ABC News reported that two deputies were hospitalized in stable condition and two others were treated at the scene. A Wayne County Sheriff's Office K-9 was also shot and remains in serious condition. Two other victims and the suspect also died in the shooting. The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.
Sergeant Ries had served with the Rittman Police Department for 10 years, having moved to full time in 2018. His law enforcement career began in April 1996 at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, where he was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2008. The Record-Courier reported that nomination comments described him as "simply a good officer" who was "always willing to help and was a team player." His persistence and observations led to the identification and arrest of suspects involved in ATV thefts, and he was credited with apprehending a fleeing burglary suspect who was found in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol. He also served as an officer for the Sugar Grove Police Department in Fairfield County and handled the city's property maintenance inspections in addition to his police duties.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a statement: "A career peace officer, Sgt. Ries dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. He made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. My prayers are with his family, his fellow officers and everyone at the Rittman Police Department."
Sergeant Ries's End of Watch is a solemn reminder that every call for help can demand everything of those who answer, and that a 30-year career of service can end in a single moment answering a community's call for help.
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ThinBlueNews creates original remembrance pages to honor law-enforcement sacrifice. ODMP is the nonprofit maintaining the national officer memorial record and providing support resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and attribution
- ODMP memorial page: Sergeant Scott Ries
- Akron Beacon Journal/Record-Courier: 30-year officer Scott Ries killed in line of duty in Rittman
- ABC News: Shooting in Ohio leaves 3 dead, including sergeant, and 4 responders wounded
- ODMP donation page
Featured memorial image: ODMP profile photo of Sergeant Scott Ries with ThinBlueNews memorial overlay and source attribution. ThinBlueNews does not claim ownership of the ODMP source portrait.
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