HARRISON COUNTY, OH — A violent chain of events that began with a routine traffic stop on Monday, March 30, ended in the death of a suspect following a multi-agency manhunt and three separate officer-involved shooting incidents.
The suspect, identified as Michael Decker, succumbed to his injuries late Monday after a tense standoff with law enforcement in a wooded area of Green Township.
The Initial Encounter
The incident began on U.S. Highway 250 near Eslick Road in Franklin Township. A Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted what was intended to be a routine traffic stop. During the encounter, gunfire was exchanged between the deputy and the vehicle’s passenger.
Decker then fled the scene in the vehicle, prompting an immediate pursuit joined by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP).
Pursuit and Escalation
As the chase moved toward Hopedale, law enforcement attempted to disable the vehicle using a tire deflation device on U.S. Highway 22. With OSP Troopers, Cadiz Police Officers, and Harrison County Deputies positioned on the scene:
- Decker allegedly fired multiple rounds from a handgun at the officers.
- One OSP patrol vehicle was struck by gunfire.
- No officers were reported injured during this second exchange.
Following the shooting, Decker abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the dense woods lining the highway, triggering an extensive regional manhunt.
The Apprehension
After several hours of searching, the OSP Aviation Unit located Decker in a wooded area on Mine Road in Green Township. According to official reports, authorities used the aircraft’s PA system to issue numerous verbal commands for Decker to surrender.
After a prolonged period of non-compliance, a third shooting incident occurred as officers moved in to finalize the arrest. Decker was struck during the confrontation and later died from his injuries.
Community and Agency Response
Harrison County Sheriff Mark Touville expressed his gratitude for the seamless cooperation between local, state, and federal partners.
“The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for all the law enforcement agencies’ cooperation and support in the apprehension of a dangerous fugitive,” the department stated in a release.
Sheriff Touville extended specific thanks to the following agencies for their boots-on-the-ground support and investigative resources:
- Cadiz Police Department
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office & Drug Task Force
- Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
- ODNR Wildlife Officers
- United States Marshals Service
Ongoing Investigation
Per standard protocol, all three officer-involved shooting incidents are currently under independent review. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has taken the lead on the probe to ensure a transparent evaluation of the use of force throughout the day’s events.
