Ohio officer allegedly killed by suspect vehicle in police chase on I-75

BLUFFTON, Ohio (WTVG) - An officer with the Bluffton Police Department was allegedly killed by suspects involved in a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 75 in Hancock County early Thursday morning.

According to Ohio State Highway Patrol, 41-year-old Dominic Francis was struck by the vehicle while attempting to deploy stop-sticks on Exit 142 on southbound I-75 at 2:30 a.m.

He had spent 19 years in law enforcement, the last nine with the Bluffton Police Department.

According to Chief Ryan Burkholder, Francis coached softball and football at Cory-Rawson Schools.

“Today is a sad day. This community lost a hero,” Burkholder said. “He is an outstanding police officer. His heart was big.

The pursuit first began when Ohio State troopers spotted a Black Infinity Sedan traveling at high speeds on SR 23. Law enforcement officers from OSHP, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and Bluffton Police joined the chase around 2:20 a.m.