Tears Flowed While Twinsburg Dispatch Tape Played July 16, 2008


TWINSBURG, Ohio -- Twinsburg police dispatch tapes were released at a news conference Wednesday in the shooting of a Twinsburg police officer killed in the line of duty.

Officer Joshua Miktarian was killed Sunday morning during a traffic stop.

NewsChannel5 reported that it was very emotional scene in the room where people were listening to the tape. Tears flowed among his colleagues.

Miktarian and his colleagues could be heard on the police radio transmission.

Miktarian is referred to as Unit 745 or just 45 on the recording.

A colleague asks on the recording, "Where are you?" before you hear, "Officer down, officer down in the driveway."

Patrolman Tom Austin said that Miktarian may not have known that Thompson had a concealed-carry permit for a gun when he approached the vehicle. They said he did not check the registry on the car ahead of time.

Austin said there was no 911 call and no dash-cam video. They said a call came in through the regular police number.

On Tuesday, prosecutors said they recovered a .9 mm handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, from a Bedford Heights home where suspect Ashford Thompson was arrested.

Thompson is charged with aggravated murder in connection with Miktarian's death.

Police said Miktarian stopped Thompson early Sunday morning because he heard loud music and suspected him of drunken driving.

Investigators said Thompson shot Miktarian in the head four times.

Miktarian's wife, Holly, an Oakwood police officer, released a statement Tuesday:

"On behalf of myself and our daughter, Thea, we would like to thank the community for its generous support during this difficult time. I just want you to remember Josh as a loving husband, father, good friend, professional police officer and a wonderful person."

Visitation hours for Miktarian will be held Thursday at the Donovan Funeral Home in Tallmadge.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Donations to the family can be made through the Twinsburg Police Association.