The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced that Cpl. Adam McMillan, a deputy who was in critical condition after a crash with a Metro bus on Oct. 8, died of his injuries at University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Friday. He was 42.
"Adam McMillan is a hero who will continue to live in others -- he is a proud organ donor," said Sheriff Jim Neil, seeming to hold back tears at a press briefing outside UC Medical Center Friday evening.
Neil asked for privacy on behalf of McMillan's family as well as prayers for his other deputies.
McMillan, a 19-year veteran with the HCSO, sustained severe injuries as his cruiser and a Metro bus crashed at the intersection of Eight Mile Road and Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Township. The bus driver sustained minor injuries. McMillan was not responding to a call for service at the time of the crash.
McMillan is the third Hamilton County deputy to be killed in the line of duty since 1984, Neil said.
Kreg Keesee, SORTA Board Chair, and Darryl Haley, CEO & GM of SORTA offered "our deepest, most heartfelt sympathies and condolences" to McMillan's family and friends and his colleagues at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
"We join with the law enforcement colleagues of Cpl. McMillan, and all public servants throughout this community, the State of Ohio and this country, who mourn his tragic loss while being forever thankful for his selfless commitment, dedication and service to others," read a joint statement from Keesee and Haley.
Township Administrator Vicky Earhart said Anderson mourns McMillan's loss and offered condolences to his family.
“We cannot fathom the pain that his family is enduring but want them to know that our thoughts are with them," she wrote in a statement Friday. "Adam will always be a part of our Anderson Township family. We grieve alongside his brothers and sisters in the Sheriff’s Office and will always hold Adam’s smile in our hearts."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered all U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds in Hamilton County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center and Rhodes Tower until sunset on the day of McMillan's interment.
In honor of the life and service of Cpl. Adam McMillan, all U.S. & Ohio flags shall be flown at half-staff on all public buildings & grounds in Hamilton Co. & at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, & Rhodes Tower effective immediately until sunset on the day of his interment. https://t.co/e0BhINYv2a
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) October 24, 2020
Cincinnati Police also shared condolences to the Sheriff's Office Friday evening, shortly after the announcement.
"The men and women of our Department are keeping Corporal McMillan and our brothers and sisters from the Sheriff's Office in our prayers," read a statement from police on social media.
