A Cleveland police officer was fatally shot Thursday night in the city’s Stockyards neighborhood.
The fallen officer has been identified as Detective James Skernivitz, 53, who had been with the department for 25 years. He was rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he succumbed from his injuries, the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association said, according to News5 Cleveland.
“Cleveland lost one of its finest tonight in the line of duty,” Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said. “He was doing what all police officers do — trying to protect this city, and he gave his life.”
CPPA President Jeff Follmer said another person, who was not an officer, was in the officer’s vehicle at the time of the shooting and was also killed, according to Cleveland.com. That person has not been identified but is reported to be a 50-year-old man.
A spokeswoman for the police department, Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia, said no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, and law enforcement officials are still searching for the shooter or shooters. Few other details were available early Friday morning.
The Cleveland Division of the FBI posted that reward money is available for anyone who has information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the shooter or shooters.
