Mansfield Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 14 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 182
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 26, 2007
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: committed
Officer Brian Evans was shot and killed while providing medical assistance to a man who had just been shot by Officer Evans' brother.
Officer Evans and his brother's wife had become concerned about his brother because of his depression. When the two arrived at his house to check on his welfare, they discovered that the brother's neighbor had been shot and was laying in the driveway. Officer Evans immediately went to check on the condition of the victim and ordered his sister-in-law to leave the area in the car.
At the same time, the brother appeared in the driveway and opened fire, striking the vehicle ten times. He then shot Officer Evans in the chest, killing him.
Moments later, the suspect's sister and sister-in-law arrived at the scene and were also fired upon. Both were wounded as they fled in their vehicle.
The suspect was apprehended a short time later after being confronted by other officers. He was charged with the murder of a police officer and the murder of his neighbor. On September 9, 2008, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed in a state mental institution.
Officer Evans had served with the Mansfield Police Department for 14.5 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.