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Incident
Police Officer Anthony Morelli and Police Officer Eric Joering were shot and killed when they responded to a suspected domestic violence/911 hangup call in the 300 block of Crosswind Drive.
When officers arrived at the home, they made contact with the residents of the apartment and were let inside. As they walked into the apartment, a 30-year-old male subject opened fire on them, mortally wounding Officer Joering and Officer Morelli. Despite their wounds, both officers were able to return fire and wounded the subject, who was taken to a hospital.
Officer Morelli was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
The subject, a convicted felon, had beaten and strangled his wife before officers arrived. He was charged with two counts of capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He was found guilty and sentenced to two life sentences without parole and 26 1/2 years.
Officer Morelli worked at the Fairlawn Police Department for a year before becoming a 29-year veteran of the Westerville police force.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Morelli gave the Westerville Division of Police 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Westerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Morelli.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Westerville Division of Police has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Anthony is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Anthony is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Anthony is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Anthony was 54. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Anthony had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Anthony was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Anthony had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Anthony was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Anthony had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Westerville Division of Police. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Westerville Division of Police has 2 officers remembered here, Anthony among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Westerville Division of Police are honored on badge.nw.
