Joshua T. Miktarian, a 33-year-old male police officer of Caucasian ethnicity, was tragically shot and killed on July 13, 2008, while conducting a traffic stop in Twinsburg, Ohio. Officer Miktarian, who had served with the Twinsburg Police Department for 11 years, was also a part-time officer with the Uniontown Police Department. He was known for his dedication to his work and his beloved K-9 partner, Bagio.
The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. when Officer Miktarian pulled over a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Ashford Thompson for playing loud music and suspected drunk driving. During the traffic stop, Thompson struggled with Officer Miktarian and pulled out a gun, shooting him four times in the head. Despite calling for backup, Officer Miktarian succumbed to his injuries shortly after being flown to a local hospital.
Following the shooting, Thompson fled the scene but was arrested a short time later by members of the Bedford Heights Police Department. He was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to death in June 2010. The case drew significant attention due to the senseless nature of the crime and the impact on Officer Miktarian's family, including his wife, Holly, who was also a police officer, and their 3-month-old daughter, Thea.
The community and law enforcement agencies paid tribute to Officer Miktarian with memorials and tributes, including a bronze plaque at Twinsburg City Hall. The tragic loss of Officer Miktarian remains a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty.
