Shelby, Ohio — On December 7th, 2024, at approximately 11:18 p.m., Sergeant Noah Kocher and Officer Dominic Ewing with the Shelby Police Department went to Arby’s Restaurant, 234 Mansfield Ave, to attempt to serve a warrant on 31-year-old Tyler Jacobs out of Shelby Municipal Court.
While making initial contact with Jacobs and advising him of the warrant, Jacobs stabbed Sgt Kocher in the neck with a knife. Sgt Kocher was able to create physical distance from Jacobs, who then ran toward Sgt Kocher with knife still in hand. Sgt Kocher was able to draw his duty weapon and fire at and strike Jacobs. Officer Ewing, who had been covering the back door of the restaurant made immediate entry and provided aid to Sergeant Kocher and provided critical aid to Jacobs. Sergeant Kocher and Jacobs were both transported to the hospital by Shelby Fire. Sgt Kocher is in stable condition; Jacobs succumbed to his wounds.
That morning, under orders from their superiors, Sergeant Kocher and his teammates approached and arrested Jacobs, a wanted man in connection with a serious crime. After several days of investigation and surveillance, the police finally located him in an old apartment on the outskirts of the city.
Upon arrival, Sergeant Kocher and his teammates surrounded the area to ensure that Jacobs had no chance of escaping. After confirming that the subject was in the apartment, they knocked on the door and announced their identity. There was a long silence before the door slowly opened, and Jacobs appeared with a calm expression. Without showing any signs of panic, he quietly observed the officers in front of him.
Sergeant Kocher, who was in charge of this mission, stepped forward and spoke loudly:
Jacobs, you are under arrest by a court order. Raise your hands and cooperate with us.
Jacobs hesitated at first, his eyes darting from one police officer to another as if calculating something. In that seemingly silent moment, suddenly, with a surprisingly quick movement, Jacobs pulled out a dagger hidden in his sleeve. Before anyone could react, he rushed forward and stabbed Sergeant Kocher straight in the neck.
A sharp pain immediately spread throughout Sergeant Kocher’s body, blood gushed from the wound. The surrounding police immediately took action. A nearby officer rushed over, tackled Jacobs to the ground, and disarmed him before he could cause further injury. Others quickly helped stop the bleeding and called an ambulance for Sergeant Kocher.
Jacobs was immediately restrained and handcuffed. He struggled, but could not escape the control of the officers. Meanwhile, Sergeant Kocher, despite the pain, remained conscious, trying to reassure his teammates that he was okay. An ambulance quickly arrived and took him to the hospital for emergency treatment.
This incident not only serves as a warning about the potential dangers of performing duties, but also shows the bravery of the police force. Thanks to the timely intervention of his teammates, Sergeant Kocher was fortunate to save his life. Jacobs was arrested shortly after and faces more serious charges.
This event left a strong impression on those who witnessed it, reminding everyone of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day.
