Anthony Dia, a 26-year-old police officer in Toledo, Ohio, was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2020. Dia was responding to a call about an intoxicated man at the Home Depot parking lot on Alexis Road. When Dia approached the man, identified as 57-year-old Edward Henry, the suspect turned and fired a round from a handgun, striking Dia in the chest.
Despite his wounds, Dia managed to return fire before being rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Henry fled into a wooded area near the parking lot, and after a search involving a drone and a K-9 unit, officers found him dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses confirmed that Henry was the person who shot Dia. The incident was described as a tragic and heartbreaking event by Toledo's Chief of Police George Kral and Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Dia, who was a proud Muslim and a devoted family man, left behind a wife and two young children. He had joined the Toledo Police Department in 2018 and was known for his dedication to his community and his passion for helping others. His last words over the radio were, "Tell my family I love them," which highlighted his deep devotion to his loved ones.
The community mourned the loss of Officer Dia, and a large memorial was set up at the Home Depot parking lot where he was shot. Dia's death was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day and the sacrifices they make to protect their communities.
