COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Westerville is continuing to honor the sacrifice of two police officers who were killed in the line of duty five years ago.
On Feb. 10, 2018, Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering responded to a 911 hang-up call involving a potential domestic violence situation.
The two were shot by Quentin Smith after entering the townhome. Joering was pronounced dead at the scene and Morelli died at a local hospital.
Smith was shot five times but survived. In November 2019, he was found guilty of their murders and given two life sentences plus 26.5 years.
He was eligible for the death penalty, but the jury recommended life in prison.
Morelli, who was raised in Massillon, was a 29-year veteran of the Westerville Police Department. He worked for the Fairlawn Police Department for one year before coming to Westerville.
Joering had been with Westerville police for 16 years. The Westerville South High School graduate worked as a patrol officer, detective and K-9 officer.
Following their deaths, multiple agencies across Ohio created tributes to both Morelli and Joering including a portion of Interstate 270 near Westerville being renamed after them.
Friday afternoon, the Westerville Police Honored Guard placed a wreath near the the commemorative plaques for the officers in the City Hall Courtyard.