The Bluffton Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its' own today. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis was deploying stop-sticks along I-75 early this morning in an effort to end a high speed chase which got underway in Hancock County.
Officer Francis was hit by the fleeing suspects' car about 2:30am. The three suspects are now in custody as one was arrested near the scene while a second was arrested in Elyria following a chase from Medina County.
It's unclear where the third suspect was taken into custody. Governor Mike DeWine has ordered flags to fly at half-staff until Officer Francis is laid to rest.