Sunday, December 20, 2020

Ohio Wildlife officer shot during December 20 deer-poaching investigation; suspect arrested (UPDATED 12/21/2020)

 

(Note: Corrected the age of defendant Brian R. Liming as per update from the Clinton County (Ohio) Sheriffs Office, 12/21/2020.)


In a still evolving and fluid matter, three southwest Ohio individuals have been arrested in an alleged connection in the shooting of Ohio Division of Wildlife commissioned officer, Kevin Behr.


The Clinton County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office said the incident is alleged to have occurred about 4 p.m., (Sunday), December 20th. This was the last day of Ohio’s two-day, so-called “bonus” statewide firearms hunting season.


Following is the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Media Release on the incident. More details are expected, perhaps by Monday, December 21st.


The release reads:


On December 20, 2020 approximately 4:00 pm the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Communication Center advising that a Wildlife Officer had been shot and needed assistance.


Wildlife Officer’s and Natural Resource Officer’s working in the area responded for assistance as well as Officers from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol.


Wildlife Officers were investigating a deer poaching complaint in the area Macedonia Road and Martinsville Road when the shooting occurred. Wildlife Investigator Kevin Behr, a 25- year veteran of the Division, sustained a gunshot wound during this investigation.


Three suspects were taken into custody shortly after the incident. Arrested were Brian R. Liming, (43) of Xenia, Oh. Liming is being held on charges of Weapons under disability, a Felony of the 3rd degree, No Deer Permit, a Misdemeanor of the 3 rd degree and Hunting without permission, a Misdemeanor of the 3rd degree.


Thomas Davis, 35 of Jamestown, Ohio is being held on a charge of Aiding an Offender, a Misdemeanor of the 4th degree.


Brian Achtermann, 36 of Midland, Ohio is being held on a charge’s of; No Hunting License, a Misdemeanor of the 4th degree and No Deer Permit, a Misdemeanor of the 3rd degree.


The investigation into this case is being handled by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and upon completion will be presented to the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office for a determination of additional charges.


Martinsville EMS as well as Wilmington EMS responded to provide medical assistance.


Investigator Behr was airlifted from the scene and taken to a Trauma Center for injuries sustained during the shooting. Investigator Behr’s injuries while serious appear to be non-life threatening, he is currently in stable condition.


We would ask for everyone to keep Investigator Behr and his family in their prayer’s during this difficult time.


If anyone has additional information relating to this case, we would ask that they contact the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 937-382-1611.”


Likewise, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says that its close-knit community of officers and staff extended their collective concern, thoughts and prayers to Behr and his family.


Kevin, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, was injured today after being shot by a suspect while on assignment in Clinton County.,” said the department’s chief of Communications, Sarah Wickham in a prepared statement.


Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Officers and Investigators are commissioned state law enforcement officers with unique and challenging duties who serve bravely to preserve and protect Ohio’s state lands and wildlife resources.”


Wickham said also that the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into Officer Behr’s shooting.


By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com

 


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