Wounded Leetonia officer, assaulted St. Clair cop honored
It's been more than four months since an officer-involved shooting in Columbiana County led to the deaths of one man and a four-year-old girl. Officer Dakota Wetzel was shot in the head during the altercation but miraculously survived.
Wetzel, along with Leetonia Village Patrolman John Hancock, was recognized by the Fraternal Order of Police Quaker Lodge 88, which held the National Peace Officer's Memorial Service Luncheon at the Salem Golf Club on Wednesday.
More than 160 names were read aloud during the luncheon, names of officers that made the ultimate sacrifice while giving up their lives in the process, all in the last year.
Wetzel and Hancock expressed their gratitude for being able to attend the event.
"Had the bullet even been a millimeter in either direction, I would be dead or paralyzed," said Wetzel, speaking to friends, family, and other law enforcement officials at the luncheon.
Wetzel, a St. Clair Township police officer, was shot in the head after responding to a call about a suicidal man. A shooting that resulted in the death of 4-year-old Rosalie Martin, which is still under investigation.
"I'll never understand why Joey did that day, but I've asked God to forgive him, but also to pray for his family and Rosalie's as well," said Wetzel, referencing Joseph Como, who was killed in that shooting.
Wetzel thanked his fiancé and the St. Clair family, who were in attendance, and was grateful to be speaking in front of a crowd four months later.
"It's very rare for someone with my injury to be up here speaking to everyone, and I think it adds a unique perspective that you usually would not get," he explained.
Leetonia Village Patrolman John Hancock was equally thankful to be there. He was attacked during a traffic stop last October by the driver, who was wielding a 3-foot section of rebar. Despite suffering a broken ankle and heavy damage to the head, Hancock was able to subdue the threat until backup arrived.
"I was standing on my leg because my foot was off to the side, but I didn't want to let him know I was hurt," said Hancock, who is still recovering from his injuries.
