Capitol Police Officer’s Suicide After Jan. 6 Qualifies for Line-of-Duty Death Benefit
By Jim Lobe
The following article was published November 14, 2015 in the Daily Press, News-Press”
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley called the death of Capitol Police Officer Michael Kolarik a “very tragic loss,” in a news release Thursday. Cincinnati’s Inspector General reported Officer Kolarik died in the line of duty after committing suicide.
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac announced earlier that Officer Kolarik — assigned to the Special Events Bureau and a member of CPD’s Tactical Unit — was shot by a suspect who was on foot. Isaac said another officer, who had been wounded by that officer, chased down the suspect. The suspect was found nearby, Isaac said.
The officer who took the suspect down was later found dead.
“This was a highly public and very difficult situation that I feel we handled extremely well, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families,” Cranley said.
“Our hearts go out to the families of Detective Thomas and Officer Kolarik,” Isaac said. “Our officers put their lives on the line every day to protect people and protect public safety.”
“The investigation continues,” Isaac said.
The officer’s wife is now also the victim of a tragic, senseless murder,” Cranley said.
In addition to the officer’s wife, Officer Kolarik’s brother, James, is now the victim of a tragic, senseless homicide,” Cranley said.
James Kolarik is believed to have been out for a jog when he was shot.
The suspect, who was fatally wounded in the shooting, has been identified as 29-year-old Jonathan Smith of Cincinnati.
The officer’s sister, Tricia, was unable, as of Thursday, to be reached for comment. She told news outlets that her older brother, who has severe disabilities, is at the