As we celebrated Independence Day, a young Ohio police officer was killed in the line of duty. Tony Dia was shot in the parking lot of a Home Depot. While he was dying, he transmitted a heartbreaking message to his family over the radio.
Jayme Dia was shocked when she was told about the shooting as she had just spoken with her husband minutes prior. Mrs. Dia talked with him at 12:03 and he responded to the call about a drunken man in a parking lot at 12:11.
Shooter Kills Himself Moments After Police Officer Shot In Line Of Duty
Witnesses report that 57-year-old Edward Henry, the drunk man in question, was walking away from Dia. Then he turned back and shot the police officer in the chest.
Henry then walked into the woods and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.
Dia loved being a police officer and working in the community. Just a couple hours before he was shot, a mom shared a picture of him with her sons on Facebook. Officer Dia showed them the inside of his cruiser and allowed them to turn on the lights and sirens.
He actively engaged residents until his untimely death.
The Toledo Police Department shared the picture of Dia smiling with the two youngsters in the Facebook post below.
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Jayme Dia wants her husband to be remembered as a devoted family man and father of two young boys.
The police officer’s final words over the radio after being shot emphasized the importance of that legacy.
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“Tell My Family I Love Them”
“The last thing he said over the radio was, ‘Tell my family I love them,’” the grieving widow said. “He lived for his family, and he loved, just loved, being a police officer.”
Our police officers are under attack from activists wanting to defund the police or even harm or kill them. Despite that, Tony Dia didn’t shy away from interacting with his community. He was proud to wear a Toledo Police Department uniform.
Officer Dia joined the Toledo Police Department in 2018. A GoFundMe for his family currently has over $170,000 in donations for his widow and children.
The Toledo Police Department shared an emotional video celebrating the life of Tony Dia. Take a look:
As the sun sets on this Fourth of July, please take a moment to reflect on the life and sacrifice of Officer Anthony Dia. He leaves behind his wife, two young boys, and a loving family. He made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. End of Watch: July 4, 2020. pic.twitter.com/HFb2OEuHpr
— Toledo Police (@ToledoPolice) July 5, 2020