(CNN) Two Ohio police officers were fatally shot Saturday while responding to a 911 hangup call involving potential domestic abuse, authorities said.

Westerville Police Officers Eric Joering, 39, and Anthony Morelli, 54, were shot as they entered an apartment in Westerville, Division of Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said. Westerville is a northern suburb of Columbus.

"Both officers gave their lives in the protection of others," Morbitzer said through tears. "Those are true American heroes."

The suspect, Quentin Lamar Smith, was hospitalized and taken into custody, police spokeswoman Christa Dickey said. On Sunday, he was charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

The 911 caller was identified as the suspect's wife, Candace Smith. Police records show that officers previously visited the Smith home for reports of domestic violence.

'My husband ... shot the police officers'

In a 911 call around noon Saturday from Candace Smith's phone, a stifled sob is heard before the line abruptly drops, according to recordings released by the City of Westerville.

When an operator calls the number back, more sobs and wails can be heard before the line drops again. In another call about 10 minutes later, Candace Smith tells the operator she is hiding in the bushes outside their home. She expresses fear for her one-year-old daughter, who she says is in the apartment with her husband.

"Please help, please help, please help," she cries. "My husband ... he shot the police officers. Please hurry up."

Officers were dispatched to the Smith home after a record search indicated that officers visited the address in 2017, the recordings reveal.

On September 14, 2017, Candace Smith called police reporting that while her husband was moving out, he was drunk and "doing something to her car," according to an incident report released by the city. He left without incident, the report says.

Then, on November 29, 2017, Candace Smith visited the Westerville Police Department to inquire about protection orders, according to another incident report.

She told police that she was not getting along with her husband, and that when she threatens to leave he tells her that he will kill her, their daughter and himself, the report says. She left the department to pick up her daughter from day care without taking action against him, the report states.

Quentin Lamar Smith

About 30 minutes later, Quentin Smith called police to their home after Candace had locked him out, the report states. The two got into an argument after Candace accused him of cheating on her and giving her a sexually transmitted disease. Quentin Smith denied the allegations and refused to leave despite his wife's request that he do so, the report states.

The officer who responded to the scene recommended that Candace stay with her daughter in a different part of the home.

"Both were advised that if they started arguing again, they could contact us," the report says.

'Pillars' of the department

Joering had been with the department for 17 years. Morelli was a 30-year veteran of the force, the chief said.

Officer Anthony Morelli, right, was shot at the scene.

One officer died on the scene and one died at the hospital.

"This was their calling and they did it right. They knew how to do policing the right way," he said.

"They were pillars in our department."

President Donald Trump expressed condolences on Twitter for the officers' families and the department.

My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers, their families, and everybody at the @WestervillePD. https://t.co/AoingY77Ky — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2018

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is from Westerville, pledged his support for the town and its police department. Westerville is a northern suburb of Columbus.

"The finest among us are those who risk it all everyday for our safety, and Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering were those people. Their deaths are a terrible tragedy," he said.

Eleven US law enforcement officers have been killed by gunfire this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page , a nonprofit dedicated to remembering those killed in the line of duty.</s>WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Two police officers died after being shot Saturday in Westerville, Ohio, a northern suburb of Columbus, authorities said.

A male suspect was wounded and hospitalized, police spokeswoman Christa Dickey said.

The officers were investigating after a caller dialed the 911 dispatch center and hung up. They came under fire when they responded to the address connected with the call.

The officers' names have not been released. Police will hold a news conference Saturday afternoon.</s>Two Westerville, Ohio, police officers were shot and killed Saturday afternoon, according to NBC4 WCMH in Columbus.

A suspect in the incident was wounded and transported to an area hospital.

According to WCMH, the two officers responded to a 911 hang-up around 11:30 a.m. They were then fired on upon arriving at the address on Crosswind Drive.</s>WESTERVILLE, Ohio (FOX NEWS) — Two police officers were killed Saturday while responding to a call in Westerville, Ohio, reports say.

The city of Westerville confirmed on Twitter reports that two of the city’s police officers were killed in “the line of duty.”

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. local time at Crosswind Drive, 10 TV reported

The Westerville Police Department told Fox News the officers were “responding to a 911 hang-up call” when the shooting occurred. They did not confirm how many people were shot or their conditions.

FOX 28 Columbus reported a suspect is in custody. Reports say the suspect was also shot but their condition was not immediately known.</s>TWO Police Officers Killed Saturday Afternoon in an Apparent Ambush Shooting near John Kasich’s Home

NBC4 in Westerville, Ohio reports that the Westerville Division of Police have confirmed two police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty on Saturday in what appears to be an ambush shooting.

According to NBC4, police received a 911 hang up call at around 11:30 am. After arriving at the scene, a suspect began shooting at them. The suspect hit at least two officers who died after paramedics transported them to a local hospital. The suspect was apprehended at the scene according to WHIO. No information has been given on the shooter except that he or she is being treated a local hospital for sustained wounds.</s>OHIO – Two police officers died after being shot Saturday in Westerville, Ohio, a northern suburb of Columbus, authorities said.

The officers were shot as they entered an apartment while responding to a 911 call that ended with a hangup, Westerfield Division of Police Chief Joe Morbitzer told reporters. Morbitzer said officers responded to what was a potential domestic situation, but didn’t go into detail about the incident.

One officer died on the scene and one died at the hospital, the chief said.

They were identified as Eric Joering, 39, who had been with the department for 17 years, and Anthony Morelli, 54, who had served 30 years.

“Both officers gave their lives in the protection of others,” Morbitzer said through tears. “Those are true American heroes.”

A male suspect was wounded and hospitalized, police spokeswoman Christa Dickey said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers, their families, and everybody at the @WestervillePD,” he wrote.

Morbitzer said the officers were two of the best in his department.

“This was their calling and they did it right. They knew how to do policing the right way,” he said. “They were pillars in our department.”</s>Two police officers responding to a potential case of domestic violence have been fatally shot in Westerville, Ohio. According to authorities, officers Anthony Morelli, 39, and Eric Joering, 54, were met with gunfire immediately upon arrival. Joering was pronounced dead at the scene, while Morelli died later in hospital, Westerville police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at press conference. The suspect in the shooting was taken into custody while police are still investigating the crime scene. Ohio Gov. John Kasich pledged full support for the officers’ families and the police department of his hometown, while US President Donald Trump also extended his condolences to the victims’ friends and relatives.</s>WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Two police officers died after being shot Saturday in Westerville, Ohio, a northern suburb of Columbus, authorities said.

The officers were shot as they entered an apartment while responding to a 911 call that ended with a hangup, Westerfield Division of Police Chief Joe Morbitzer told reporters. Morbitzer said officers responded to what was a potential domestic situation, but didn’t go into detail about the incident.

One officer died on the scene and one died at the hospital, the chief said.

They were identified as Eric Joering, 39, who had been with the department for 17 years, and Anthony Morelli, 54, who had served 30 years.

“Both officers gave their lives in the protection of others,” Morbitzer said through tears. “Those are true American heroes.”

A male suspect was wounded and hospitalized, police spokeswoman Christa Dickey said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers, their families, and everybody at the @WestervillePD,” he wrote.

Morbitzer said the officers were two of the best in his department.

“This was their calling and they did it right. They knew how to do policing the right way,” he said. “They were pillars in our department.”

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is from Westerville, pledged his support for the town and its police department.

“The finest among us are those who risk it all everyday for our safety, and Officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering were those people. Their deaths are a terrible tragedy,” he said.

Eleven US law enforcement officers have been killed by gunfire this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit dedicated to remembering those killed in the line of duty.

That number includes Locust Grove, Georgia police officer Chase Maddox, who was killed Friday while serving a warrant. Two deputies were wounded.</s>Two police officers from Westerville, Ohio, were fatally shot Saturday in the line of duty, officials said, prompting President Donald Trump to offer his condolences on Twitter.

Shortly after noon Saturday, two Westerville police officers were responding to a 911 caller who had hung up the phone, authorities said.

“As they went into the apartment, they were immediately met with gunfire and both officers were shot,” an emotional Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at a news conference.

A Twitter account for the city of Westerville, just north of Columbus, first posted that one officer had been killed just before 2 p.m. About an hour later, the city tweeted that a second officer had died as well.

Authorities identified the two slain officers as Anthony Morelli, 54, and Eric Joering, 39. Joering died at the scene, while Morelli was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

The pair were “two of the best we have,” Morbitzer said, struggling through tears. “Both officers gave their life in protection of others. … Those are true American heroes.”

Details about the incident were scant Saturday afternoon, though Morbitzer described it as a “potential domestic situation.” The suspect was wounded and taken to a hospital, WBNS 10 News reported.

On Twitter, Trump offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the fallen officers, their families and the Westerville police.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, who claims Westerville as his hometown, also posted his condolences on Twitter.

Follow the Bangor Daily News on Facebook for the latest Maine news.</s>WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Two police officers were fatally shot in Ohio on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The shooting suspect was wounded in the incident and taken to a nearby hospital.

The shooting took place around 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Crosswind Drive. Officers were responding to a 911 call at the address, and were fired upon when they arrived at the scene.

The victims were later identified as 39-year-old officer Anthony Morelli and 54-year-old officer Eric Joering, Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer announced during a press briefing Saturday.

Joering, a 17-year veteran, was killed at the scene. Morelli, 30-year veteran, died in surgery at Ohio State University Medical Center, Morbitzer said.

CBS Columbus affiliate WBNS posted images that showed multiple police cruisers at the scene. Westerville is located 15 miles north of Columbus.

"We are deeply saddened to report that one of our officers has been killed in the line of duty," the City of Westerville tweeted Saturday. In a separate tweet, the city confirmed the second officer's death.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the Westerville officers, their friends, families and the Westerville Police Department at this difficult time," Bacon said. "Now is one of those times and we -- as a community -- must rally behind the families and fellow officers."
Two officers of the Westerville, Ohio Police Department are shot and killed (one died immediately, one later at the hospital) in an ambush-type attack which had begun as a domestic dispute between the male perpetrator, who was wounded during the incident, and his wife.