Cambridge Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 21, 1984
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 21, 1984
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Lieutenant Jerry Dragosin was shot and killed in the driveway of the police department.
The suspect had gone to the police station in an attempt to recover a handgun that had been confiscated from him earlier in the week. When he arrived at the station, a dispatcher informed Lieutenant Dragosin the man was there and in possession of another handgun.
When Lieutenant Dragosin contacted the man, a struggle ensued. The suspect was able to gain control of Lieutenant Dragosin's service revolver and fatally shot him. As the suspect fled the scene, he encountered an off-duty officer, and the two exchanged shots. Both men were wounded in the exchange. The man continued to flee and led officers on a 50-mile pursuit into West Virginia, where he was finally taken into custody.
The 30-year-old suspect was convicted of Lieutenant Dragosin's murder and originally sentenced to death. The death penalty was overturned, and he was sentenced to life. He was denied a commutation of his sentence in 2008. He will be eligible for parole in 2024.
Lieutenant Dragosin was a United States Army Vietnam veteran. He was survived by his wife and daughter.