ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP, OH. (THECOUNT) — Portage County Sheriff’s deputy, Sgt. James Acklin, has been identified, is recovering in an Ohio hospital after being set ablaze while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Portage County on Thursday.
Acklin suffered severe burns after a suspect tossed a flammable fluid on him and then set him on fire. The officer was attempting to serve a felony warrant.
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Jay Edward Brannon, 49, of Atwater, faces charges of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated arson in the case. He also faces felony drug charges that led up to the incident, reports FOX8.
Deputies entered a building in the 3900 block of OH-44, in Louisville, Rootstown Township, OH, around 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
As one officer approached the suspect, the suspect suddenly doused the officer in a flammable liquid and lit him on fire.
Acklin was administered first aid while fellow deputies took the suspect into custody, reports Fox8.
The suspect has not been identified.
The deputy suffered severe burns, officials said. He was transported in unknown condition to the burn unit at Akron Hospital.
The sheriff’s office is not releasing his condition but said he suffered burns on more than 20 percent of his body, reports Fox8.
Developing.
Geo quick facts: Rootstown Township is one of the eighteen townships of Portage County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 7,212 people in the township – Wikipedia.