CINCINNATI — A Hamilton County sheriff's deputy is dead after police said he was hit while working a traffic detail at the University of Cincinnati Friday afternoon.
"I knew what a tremendous, tremendous person he is and what a tremendous loss we have all suffered," Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said the deputy, who has not been named, was outside his vehicle, operating a traffic light at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods amid UC's commencement, when a driver hit and killed him.
The man who ran his car into the deputy has been identified as 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr. He was the father of a man shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer one day prior, Theetge said.
Hinton has been charged with aggravated murder, police said. He appeared in court Saturday morning and is being held without bail in the Clermont County Jail until his next hearing on Tuesday.
WATCH: Looking at the investigation into the death of a Hamilton County deputy
McGuffey said a CPD officer was the first to respond to the deputy, and said he would be forever bonded with the sheriff's office as he tried to save the deputy's life.
The deputy had just retired months ago. McGufey said he opted to continue to participate and help in the city, and that agencies were grateful for his experience and his help.
"The men and women that you see here behind me all knew our deputy, and he was so well-liked and so well-known," McGuffey said. "We could fill this building with the law enforcement agencies who love and respect him and his family."
CPD's Homicide Unit is investigating the deputy's death. The chief asked for community members to "let the investigations play out."
"This community ... our city and our county, has had two critical incidents in two days," said Theetge. "I do have a plea to everybody: Let the processes play out, let the investigations play out. Keep calm, take care of one another, and I can assure you, as the chief of police for Cincinnati, I will assure you of transparency and a thorough and accurate investigation."
Watch the full press conference about the death of a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy here:
McGuffey noted the deputy will be with fellow deputies until his funeral.
"Our deputy will not be alone ... there will be someone with him until the day that he transitions to higher ground," McGuffey said.
Multiple agencies and officials have released statements regarding the deputy's death. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he is "sickened by what appears to be an intentional act of violence." County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said if the facts show it was intentional, she will "throw the full force of the law at the perpetrator."
Cincinnati FOP President Ken Kober called for the prosecutor to seek the death penalty.
"This horrific and intentional murder of a Hamilton County law enforcement officer is one of the worst things that I’ve ever seen in my career. “We’re praying for this Deputy’s family and ask that the community do so as well. ... There’s no room for anything less than the death penalty and we call on Prosecutor Pillich to confirm she will seek it," Kober said in part.
Correction: An earlier version of this story erroneously reported Rodney Hinton Jr. was being housed at the Clinton County Jail.
