Tallmadgeexpress.com - Communities continue to cope with officer's death

Since July, the community has been trying to recover from the death of Twinsburg Police Officer Joshua T. Miktarian, who was fatally shot at Glenwood Drive and Route 91 during an early morning traffic stop.

Ashford Thompson, 24, of Glenwood Drive, is awaiting a January trial at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas after being charged with two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of escape, two counts of resisting arrest, three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, all felonies, in connection with the shooting.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to these charges July 25.

At a motions hearing Oct. 22, it was confirmed that the death penalty would be a possibility if Thompson is found guilty.

Miktarian's death was the first time a police officer was killed in the line of duty in Twinsburg.

Since July, the community has come together through myriad fundraisers and motorcycle rides, concerts and dinners to honor Miktarian and support his family.

The city in late October dedicated its newest thoroughfare (the former Center Valley Parkway) as the "Joshua T. Miktarian Memorial Parkway," and the Joshua Tree on Twinsburg Township Square was dedicated in early December.

According to police reports, Miktarian stopped Thompson at 1:54 a.m. July 13 for suspicion of loud music and operating a vehicle under the influence near Thompson's home in the 2400 block of Glenwood Drive. At 1:56 a.m., Miktarian requested assistance over the radio.

Officers from Twinsburg and surrounding communities immediately responded and discovered Miktarian on the ground near his cruiser. He had been shot in the head, and his gun was found still holstered.

Miktarian was transported by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where he was pronounced dead at 2:48 a.m., according to Twinsburg police.

Bagio, the K-9 German shepherd that teamed with Miktarian, was found in the back of Miktarian's cruiser and was uninjured, according to police.

Thompson was apprehended without incident at 2:41 a.m. by Bedford Heights police at a home in Bedford Heights.

A 9mm handgun was recovered as evidence from the home, Miktarian's colleague and close friend Officer Tom Austin said, and a set of Miktarian's handcuffs was still attached to one of Thompson's wrists.

Miktarian joined the Twinsburg police department Feb. 24, 1997. He owned a Gionino's Pizza establishment in Sagamore Hills and played in the local rock band, Barium. He is survived by his wife, Holly, who is an Oakwood police officer, and his infant daughter, Thea, both of Tallmadge.

Bagio has been retired from duty and now lives with Holly and Thea.

-- Compiled by Reporter Emily
Canning-Dean

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172