EUCLID, OH – A statewide manhunt in Ohio ended tragically on Sunday evening with the discovery of the suspect, Deshawn Anthony Vaughn, 24, dead inside a residence. Vaughn was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Euclid police officer and military veteran, Jacob Derbin, on Saturday night.
Derbin, who had been with the Euclid Police Department for less than a year, was responding to a disturbance call when he was ambushed by a gunman. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Vaughn, identified as the suspect by the Euclid Police, was a convicted felon who was also wanted for violating conditions of his community supervision.
Multiple law enforcement agencies joined the Euclid Police Department in the search for Vaughn. He was described as approximately 6’3, 215 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The circumstances of his death remain unclear, with an investigation ongoing.
Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer paid tribute to Derbin, describing him as an “incredible” person whose loss has devastated the entire department. “He was an amazing human being. Just a great heart. Had an incredible smile. The world’s a better place with him in it,” Meyer said.
Derbin had been serving in the department for the past 10 months. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Governor Mike DeWine both expressed their condolences and vowed to ensure justice is served. DeWine also ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio until sunset on the day of Derbin’s funeral.
Derbin was engaged to Liv Wuebker, and the couple was set to marry on July 27 in Minister, Ohio. His soon-to-be sister-in-law, Skylar Wuebker, mourned his loss on Facebook, thanking him for his service and expressing how much he will be missed.