MILLBURY | Agencies Across Northwest Ohio Mourn Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, Killed Responding to a Crash

Author: FFP Ai Bot

MILLBURY — Messages of grief and support came in from police departments, sheriff’s offices, state officials and a hometown church Friday after Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, was killed in a crash while on his way to help at another crash scene.

The Clay Township Police Department, which serves Genoa and the surrounding township in western Ottawa County, confirmed his death Friday afternoon, roughly five hours after the 6:30 a.m. collision at State Routes 51 and 795, about two miles outside Millbury. FFP’s earlier report on the crash is here: Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, Killed in Crash on State Route 51 Near Millbury.

“An unimaginable loss”

In its statement, the department said Roesler spent three years with the agency “with honor and a deep commitment to protecting and serving others.”

“He was a dedicated public servant who made a lasting impact on our department and the community he swore to protect,” the department said, adding that he loved the outdoors, his family, his friends and his dog.

The department also said it was thinking of the other driver hurt in the crash: “While we are mourning the loss of Sergeant Roesler, we are also keeping the other person who was injured in this crash in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Today, we mourn alongside Sergeant Roesler’s family, friends, and fellow officers as we grieve this unimaginable loss during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said. “We ask that you keep Sergeant Roesler’s loved ones, as well as the members of the Clay Township Police Department and the entire law enforcement community, in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

Roesler graduated from Owens Community College in 2023, 13abc reported.

State officials weigh in

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson released a statement Friday afternoon, posted on the Attorney General’s website:

“Sgt. Roesler served the Clay Township community honorably and with an unwavering dedication throughout his three years with the department.

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.

My sincere condolences to Sgt. Roesler’s family, friends and colleagues at the Clay Township Police Department. We grieve alongside you.”

Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber was also among the officials who shared condolences publicly, according to WTOL.

Flags lowered in his honor

Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday night ordered U.S. and Ohio flags lowered to half-staff in Roesler’s honor. In a flag-lowering proclamation the governor posted on X, DeWine directed that the flags fly at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout Ottawa County and at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center and the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus until sunset on the day of Roesler’s funeral. Other public buildings and grounds across Ohio may lower their flags at their discretion for the same period. Scanner Media also shared word of the order Friday night.

“Fran and I are saddened to learn of the death of Sgt. Jacob Roesler of the Clay Township Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty today while responding to a call,” DeWine wrote. “We are grateful for his dedication to serving his community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, fellow officers, and everyone at the Clay Township Police Department during this difficult time.”

Neighboring agencies and a Genoa church

Law enforcement agencies throughout the region posted messages of sympathy for the department and Roesler’s family over the course of the day. WTOL compiled tributes from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and its therapy K9 program, the Danbury Township Police Department, the Oak Harbor Police Department, the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office and the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. St. John’s United Church of Christ in Genoa also shared a message of support for the community.

The Officer Down Memorial Page, a national nonprofit that tracks line-of-duty deaths, added Roesler to its memorial list Friday with an end-of-watch date of Oct. 16, 2026.

What happened

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Roesler was driving south on State Route 51 in a Ford Explorer cruiser with his emergency lights on, heading to a separate crash, when a Chevrolet Tahoe struck the cruiser in the intersection with State Route 795. Both vehicles left the roadway; the cruiser hit a metal pole and the Tahoe hit a utility pole, which knocked out power in the area.

Roesler was pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol said. The Tahoe’s driver, a 41-year-old Perrysburg man, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, according to the patrol. Officials have not publicly named him.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and no charges have been announced.

Arrangements pending

As of Friday evening, the department said funeral arrangements would be announced once they are available. The governor’s flag order stays in effect until sunset on the day of the funeral. No procession, vigil or memorial fund had been officially announced. FFP will update this story when the department releases details.

The Clay Township Police Department’s non-emergency line is 419-855-3444. More about the department is on its official website.

#ClayTownship #Millbury #Genoa #OttawaCounty #JacobRoesler #EndOfWatch

Sources

• WTOL 11: ‘An unimaginable loss’ | Community, fellow officers react to death of Clay Township Sgt. Jacob Roesler – https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/an-unimaginable-loss-community-fellow-officers-react-to-death-of-clay-township-sgt-jacob-roesler/512-6e699f63-4b0e-464f-bcee-caf4a1e2f7b7
• WTOL 11: Clay Township police officer killed in Ottawa County crash – https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/at-least-1-dead-in-multi-vehicle-crash-that-closed-sr-51-in-ottawa-county/512-a48cf970-7c09-4031-a47d-d3271b2a4ae6
• Ohio Attorney General: Attorney General Wilson’s Statement on Fallen Clay Township Police Officer – https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/October-2026/Attorney-General-Wilson-s-Statement-on-Fallen-Clay
• 13abc (WTVG): Clay Twp. police officer killed in crash near Milbury – https://www.13abc.com/2026/10/16/one-dead-crash-involving-clay-twp-police-vehicle/
• 10TV: OSHP: Police officer fatally hit in northern Ohio while responding to crash – https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/fatal-crash-police-officer-responding-to-crash-ottawa-county-state-route-51/530-ba7a539c-0b0c-4aa3-bf7b-f4643374efdc
• StayTunedSandusky: Clay Twp. officer killed responding to crash identified as Sgt. Jacob Roesler – https://www.staytunedsandusky.com/p/clay-twp-officer-killed-responding
• Officer Down Memorial Page: Sergeant Jacob Roesler – https://www.odmp.org/officer/27920/sergeant-jacob-roesler
• Clay Township Police Department – https://www.claytownshippolice.org/
• Gov. Mike DeWine on X: Flag lowering proclamation for Sgt. Jacob Roesler, Oct. 16, 2026 – https://x.com/GovMikeDeWine/status/2111263560965755143
• Scanner Media on Facebook: Governor DeWine Orders Flags Lowered in Honor of Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler – https://www.facebook.com/scannermedia.net/posts/pfbid02RDRSyjazD3uPJKChGtAk6z6qUcByhJoRRs4RkNsyKqQBZM9f7fSqPryL1USSsRRsl