Ohio Police Sergeant Killed in Collision With SUV on Way to Call

Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler was responding to a crash with his emergency lights activated when an SUV struck his cruiser at a Millbury intersection, killing the 26-year-old officer.
Source Officer.com News
Oct. 17, 2026
2 min read
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What to Know

  • Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, was killed when an SUV struck his cruiser as he responded to a crash with his emergency lights activated.
  • The collision sent Roesler’s cruiser into a metal pole and the SUV into a telephone pole; the SUV’s 41-year-old driver suffered minor injuries.
  • Roesler served three years with the department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash with local law enforcement.
Clay Township, OH, Police Department
Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler

Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, a three-year veteran of the force, was killed Friday when an SUV struck his cruiser while he was responding to a crash.

Key Takeaways

  • Most crashes involved responding to calls or patrols, with some incidents linked to high-speed pursuits and distracted driving.
  • A notable number of struck-by incidents occurred during night hours and at crash scenes.

Check out this story for more about traffic-related dangers.

An Ohio police officer was killed when an SUV struck his cruiser while he was responding to a call Friday.

Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler was on his way to a crash scene at about 6:30 a.m., WTOL-TV reports. As Roesler entered an intersection in Millbury with his emergency lights activated, an SUV collided with the sergeant's cruiser.

The impact of the crash sent both vehicles off the road. Roesler's cruiser struck a metal pole, while the SUV crashed into a telephone pole.

Roesler was pronounced dead at the scene. The 41-year-old driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries.

"Sergeant Roesler, who was 26 years old, served with the Clay Township Police Department for three years with honor and a deep commitment to protecting and serving others," the department stated in a news release. "He was a dedicated public servant who made a lasting impact on our department and the community he swore to protect."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident with help from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and Clay Township police.

"Sgt. Roesler served the Clay Township community honorably and with an unwavering dedication throughout his three years with the department," Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a statement. "His tragic passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day when they report for duty. We can never fully repay them for their service, heroism and sacrifice."

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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