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TURTLECREEK TWP., Warren County — A sheriff’s deputy was struck and killed instantly early Tuesday while trying to stop a driver fleeing police in an alleged stolen car.
Sgt. Brian Dulle, 36, of Turtlecreek Twp., died after being hit while deploying “stop sticks,” devices used to puncture the tires of fleeing vehicles. Dulle, a father of three children under the age of 10, including a daughter recovering from cancer, is the first Warren County deputy killed in the line of duty.
Marcus Anthony Isreal, 23, of Middletown allegedly drove the stolen 2001 Cadillac that crashed into Dulle’s and killed him, according to Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims. Isreal has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and failure to comply, a third-degree felony.
Isreal, who is in Warren County Jail without bond, has a criminal record in Butler County dating back to 2005. He was convicted of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony in August 2008. Three other charges involving drugs were filed against him in 2005 and 2006.
Sims said he did not know if Isreal had been drinking or if he struck the Stop Sticks.
The police chase began just before 2 a.m. in Franklin and ended shortly after the stolen vehicle allegedly driven by Isreal hit Dulle and killed him on U.S. 42 at Utica Road near Lebanon. A massive manhunt for the suspect included police dogs and helicopters. Isreal was apprehended around 6:15 a.m. walking near the intersection of Ohio 122 and Drake Road, approximately one mile away from where Dulle was struck, Sims said.
Sims’ eyes glistened with tears when he told how they went to see Dulle’s wife Abbie Dulle.
“You can’t open your door at 3 a.m. and see people like us standing and not know,” he said. “It’s rough.”
Dulle was promoted to the rank of sergeant in November 2005. Sims said he is certain Dulle would have continued on his successful career path, rising up through the ranks, had his life not been tragically cut short.
“Brian was a tremendous worker, he had a great personality, he loved to pull practical jokes on people, just like everyone else,” he said. “We’re like a family.”
The black Cadillac was stolen from Bill Edwards Sr., 40, of Middletown, according to a police report. The report says the car was loaned to his wife’s goddaughter, Shawnika Cooper, 19. Her boyfriend, William Peters, had been driving the car and told police he left it out in front of Take A Break Lounge, 1217 Jackson Lane in Middletown, because he was having trouble starting it. He went in for a drink after midnight and when came back outside the car, it was gone.
Isreal allegedly stole the Cadillac and touched off the police chase, according to Middletown Detective David Swartzel.
Franklin police began chasing Isreal around 1 a.m. at Park Avenue and Maple Street because the vehicle allegedly did not have working taillights and was speeding. Sheriff’s deputies joined the chase which led east across Warren County on Ohio 73 and then south on U.S. 42. Speeds in the chase reached more than 100 mph through Franklin, Springboro and Waynesville.
Skid marks at the crash site stretch nearly 65 feet. Dulle was killed on impact, Sims said.
“It’s an act that could have been avoided if someone followed the law,” Sims said.
During the pursuit, another deputy was forced off the road and into a ditch but was unharmed. A third deputy had to swerve to avoid contact with the speeding Cadillac, which was heavily damaged.
Dulle was on the side of the road when he was struck. Sims said Stop Sticks are an effective tool, but “there is an inherent danger in employing them.”
Lt. Mike Sanders, commander of the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Lebanon post, said nearly 70 officers and support personnel, including crime scene technicians and crash reconstruction team from the highway patrol’s Columbus headquarters, were involved in the investigation.
Dulle was a graduate of Edgewood High School in Butler County and Miami University and also served in the U.S. Army, Sims said. He is survived by his wife and three children — Madelyn, 10; Emma, 7 and Jackson, 4. He is also survived by his parents Edward and Denise, brother Ryan and sister Brooke.
Sims said arrangements for services for Dulle have not been announced.
Lebanon High School was let out earlier in the day because deputies were searching for what they thought was second suspect. Sims said they believe Isreal is the only suspect at this time.
Ed Richter, Justin McClelland, Jessica Heffner and Richard Wilson contributed to this story.
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