Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: 07/01/2026

Monday, July 06, 2026

Rittman Ohio police officer killed in shooting; 4 dead, 4 deputies, K9 injured,

RITTMAN, Ohio — July 6, 2026 - - The community and law enforcement agencies across Northeast Ohio are grieving following a tragic shooting late Sunday night, July 5, 2026, that claimed the lives of four people, including a veteran police

officer.

According to reporting by Anna Meyer for WKYC – Channel 3, published on July 6, 2026, the incident began around 9:30 p.m. when officers responded to a reported disturbance at a residence on Chippewa Trail.

Upon arrival, responding personnel were immediately met with heavy gunfire. “'Unimaginable loss': Rittman Police Department identifies officer killed in Wayne County shooting as Sgt. Scott Ries. The shooting in Rittman left four dead, including Sgt. Scott Ries, and injured two officers. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating.”

Rittman Police Sgt. Scott Ries, a dedicated veteran of the department, was killed in the line of duty during the exchange.

Authorities later discovered three others dead inside the home, including the suspected shooter, as well as an adult female and her 13-year-old daughter. This – according to 3WKYC: “'The ultimate sacrifice': Law enforcement reacts to Rittman officer Sgt. Scott Ries’ death in Wayne County shooting. A Rittman police officer was killed and two officers injured during a shooting in Wayne County,” by Anna Meyer. And: UPDATE: Police officer killed in shooting identified; 4 dead, 4 deputies, K9 injured, By Ren Sikes, WHIO.

The violent encounter also resulted in injuries to additional law enforcement personnel and a police canine. Four members of the Medina County Sheriff's Office were struck by gunfire.

According to reports, two of the deputies were transported to a local hospital in stable condition, while the other two were treated for their injuries at the scene and released.

Additionally, K-9 Vick of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office was wounded during the shooting. The canine remains in serious condition at a local animal hospital.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has taken the lead on the case. As the investigation continues, the region is mourning the loss of Sgt. Ries and the civilian victims.

Messages of condolence have poured in from police departments across the state, honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by the fallen officer while expressing support for the recovery of the injured deputies and K-9 Vick.

Information for this report was gathered from the following sources:

WKYC: “'The ultimate sacrifice': Law enforcement reacts to Rittman officer Sgt. Scott Ries’ death in Wayne County shooting,” by Anna Meyer. The article’s lede notes, “A Rittman police officer was killed and two officers injured during a shooting in Wayne County.”

WHIO: “UPDATE: Police officer killed in shooting identified; 4 dead, 4 deputies, K9 injured,” by Ren Sikes. The report opens with, “‘Unimaginable loss’: Rittman Police Department identifies officer killed in Wayne County shooting as Sgt. Scott Ries. The shooting in Rittman left four dead, including Sgt. Scott Ries, and injured two officers. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating.”

This article has been published in WordPress – Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2026/07/06/rittman-ohio-police-officer-killed-in-shooting-4-dead-4-deputies-k9-injured/

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Westminster Municipal Band joins Westminster Church of the Ascension in marking America's 250th Anniversary

The Church of the Ascension in Westminster held an outside service Sunday morning, July 5, 2026 with the Westminster Municipal Band to mark the 250th anniversary of our nation.

Sunday, July 5, 2026, The Church of the Ascension, Westminster MD - - The Church of the Ascension in Westminster welcomed folks on the front courtyard lawn of the church campus on North Court Street to an outside service Sunday morning, July 5, 2026, for A Eucharist of Thanksgiving for the Nation - a special worship service commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence while honoring the men and women who have served in the nation's Armed Forces.

Founded in 1843 and formally organized as Ascension Parish in 1844, the historic Episcopal congregation worships in its landmark stone church, which was consecrated on Ascension Day in 1846 and remains one of Westminster's most recognizable historic houses of worship.

The parish is led by The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson, who has served as rector since August 2023. On Sunday, the congregation extended a special welcome to the Westminster Municipal Band and its Color Guard for leading the musical portions of the patriotic service and presenting the colors during the recognition of veterans.

According to the church service bulletin, the special Eucharist was offered "for the 250th anniversary of American independence, for this land, for the enduring freedom to worship, and for all those who, from the Revolutionary War to the present day, have served to preserve that freedom."

The service included special flower and communion memorials and thanksgivings offered by several parish families in celebration of family milestones and in gratitude for America's 250th birthday.

The Westminster Municipal Band, one of Maryland's oldest continuously performing community concert bands, has served the Westminster and Carroll County communities for generations through its summer concert series, civic ceremonies, patriotic observances, and holiday performances. Its participation added a fitting ceremonial and musical dimension to the anniversary observance.

Under the direction of its conductor, Jeremy Norris, the band presented a stirring selection of patriotic and sacred music that complemented the liturgy, including "Military Escort" as the prelude, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the processional, "Amazing Grace" before the Gospel, "America the Beautiful" during the offertory, "God of Our Fathers," "God and Country Overture," "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," and "God Bless America" for the recessional. Following the service, the band continued the celebration with "National Emblem," "The Star-Spangled Banner" (U.S. Armed Forces Edition,) the "Armed Forces Salute," "Echo Taps," "God Bless the USA," and "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

The service itself reflected both gratitude and reflection. The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson delivered a thoughtful, timely, and well-crafted homily that was warmly received by the congregation, emphasizing the blessings and responsibilities of liberty, faithful citizenship, and Christian service.

In his sermon, The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson challenged the congregation to view both patriotism and citizenship through the lens of Christian discipleship.

Reflecting on Scripture and the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence, he reminded worshippers that every person possesses God-given dignity because each bears the image of God. Drawing upon the readings from Deuteronomy, Psalm 145, and the Gospel of Matthew, The Rev. Pierre-Henry Buisson reminded the congregation that Christian patriotism must always be grounded in God's love, justice, and mercy.

While expressing gratitude for the blessings of the United States and honoring those who have defended its freedoms, he emphasized that Scripture calls Christians to recognize the inherent dignity of every person because all are created in the image of God.

Reflecting on the Declaration of Independence, he noted that the nation's founding ideals have inspired generations while also challenging each generation to continue striving toward justice and equality.

While acknowledging the nation's many blessings, he observed that every generation inherits the responsibility of advancing justice, liberty, and compassion – that every generation has inherited unfinished work.

Turning to Christ's command to "love your enemies," Reverend Buisson acknowledged that modern society too often categorizes and judges people before truly knowing them. Instead, he urged the congregation to see every individual as someone for whom Christ willingly gave His life.

He described the Church as one of the few remaining places where people of different generations, backgrounds, political perspectives, and life experiences continue to gather in unity—not because they agree on every issue, but because Christ first loved them and calls them to be one body.

Reverend Buisson concluded by encouraging the congregation to remember that Christians belong first to Christ and are therefore called to work for justice, love their neighbors, pray for their enemies, and reflect God's gracious and compassionate love in every aspect of life.

According to the printed liturgy, the Prayers of the People echoed many of those same themes. The Prayers gave thanks for the freedoms enjoyed by the nation, praying for unity within the Church, wisdom and integrity for the president, Congress, the courts, and all public officials, peace among the nations, justice for all people, comfort for those who are sick or suffering, remembrance of those who gave their lives in military service, and a prayer of confession acknowledging the nation's shortcomings while seeking God's mercy and guidance toward a more faithful future.

The combination of historic liturgy, inspiring music, patriotic observance, and Reverend Buisson's thoughtful and well-received homily created a meaningful celebration of America's semiquincentennial. The service offered those in attendance an opportunity not only to give thanks for the nation's heritage and the sacrifices of its veterans, but also to reflect upon the continuing responsibility of living out the enduring ideals of faith, freedom, justice, compassion, and unity.

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Published on Westminster Patch here: https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/westminster-municipal-band-joins-westminster-church-ascension-marking-americas

Published on WordPress – Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2026/07/06/westminster-municipal-band-joins-westminster-church-of-the-ascension-in-marking-americas-250th-anniversary/