Officer Anthony Morelli, 54, was killed on February 10, 2018, after responding to a 911 hang-up at the apartment of 30-year-old Quentin Smith in Westerville, Ohio. Morelli and his partner, Officer Eric Joering, entered the residence and were both shot by Smith; Morelli was struck once in the chest, rushed to hospital, and died of his injuries. Smith was also injured and taken to hospital and later charged with two counts of aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer.

Morelli was a 29-year veteran of the Westerville Police Department who had earlier worked for the Fairlawn Police Department for a year. He is remembered by colleagues and family as dedicated and brave and is survived by his wife, two children, his parents, and two brothers. Quentin Smith had a prior criminal history that included burglary, intimidation, aggravated menacing, domestic violence, and felonious assault; the 911 call that brought the officers to the scene followed an alleged assault on his wife.

The deaths drew statewide and national attention; portions of Interstate 270 near Westerville were later renamed in the officers’ honor and their cruiser doors were displayed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Does anyone have additional information about Officer Morelli’s service or the events that night?