For the second day this week, shots have been fired in a robbery of a Fifth Third Bank branch in Columbus.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that a Columbus police officer died this afternoon after being shot in an armed robbery at the Fifth Third Bank at 6265 E. Broad Street at McNaughten Road on the Far East Side.

Police told the Dispatch Officer Bryan Hurst, 33, was working special duty at the bank when a man wearing a ski mask and hooded jacket entered about 10:35 a.m. in what police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull described as a "takeover style robbery."

According to the newspaper, the man brandished a chrome semi-automatic pistol yelled that it was a robbery and ordered defenseless customers and tellers to get on the floor.

The man then saw Hurst working inside the bank and went toward him, Mull told the newspaper. The two exchanged gunfire, with Hurst hit by at least one bullet. The suspect, also hit, then retreated.

Hurst, an eight-year veteran of the Columbus Police Division, was taken to Grant Hospital, where he died this afternoon.

According to the Dispatch, police believe that the robber may have been shot and also may have been cut by broken glass as he escaped on foot into the parking lot. Police followed a trail of blood into the parking lot.

"We believe he will seek medical attention," Mull was quoted as saying, adding that the Ohio Highway Patrol is checking hospitals around the state.

The newspaper reports that Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman (who opposes the right to bear arms for self-defense), ordered city flags flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen officer.

The question that probably crosses nearly everyone's mind as they read about this tragedy is this:

What if Officer Hurst had not been present?!?

According to the Dispatch, Columbus Police think they know the answer...

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that a Dayton man has been charged with the rape of a tanning salon employee Sunday.

Dayton police Sgt. Tom Flanders told the newspaper that Larry Vestner, 30, is in the Montgomery County Jail on charges of rape, kidnapping, gross sexual imposition and attempted rape.

Police told the DDN Vestner was in the LA TAN at 544 Wilmington Ave. around 10 a.m. Sunday and asked the 36-year-old victim, who was in the salon alone, about some services. Police said he then pulled out a knife, forced the victim into a secluded area of the store and assaulted her.

"He even had an account there," Flanders was quoted as saying, adding that Vestner lives a block from the salon.

Patrons found the "extremely traumatized" victim after the assailant left, Flanders told the newspaper. They called police and the victim was taken to the hospital.

The following tanning salons in Ohio render their customers defenseless. Whose side are they on?

Last week Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger announced that budget cuts by the commissioners were forcing him to lay off 10 people from his staff and trim back the jail population. Wenninger said some 20 felons could be released from the Brown County jail because of the cuts.

According to the (Brown County) News Democrat, citizens are concerned.

The newspaper reported this week that Wanda Back, of Mt. Orab, who has filed a petition against the budget cuts imposed by the commissioners saying she is concerned for her fellow residents of Brown County.

Back has drawn up a petition that states "As citizens of Brown County, we stand against the extreme budget cuts that the commissioners have invoked against the Sheriff's department which directly affects our safety."

Back told the News Democrat she has had a lot of positive feedback concerning the petition. Petitions have been dropped off all around the county at various places.

Back has also begun to picket the commissioners' meetings.

"We will picket every regular session that the commissioners have as long as it is necessary," said Back told the News Democrat. "It's nothing personal – I feel they are making poor judgments with the cuts."

Back told the newspaper the commissioners are the spokesperson for the county and they are making cuts in the wrong department.

"My petition and picketing might not do any good but at least I know I am out there trying to do something," Back is quoted as saying.

Sheriff Wenninger is a strong supporter of Ohio concealed carry. After passage of the law last year, Wenninger told newspapers "I see no problem with the new upcoming carry-and-conceal law. It is a proven fact that crime rates have dropped in other states that have adopted a similar law."

If you would like more information on the petition or would like to speak with Back, call her at (937) 444-2503.

Related Stories:
Paper: Sheriff reduces staff, felons to be released

Only YOU can protect you: Brown Co. sheriff patrol will be down to 1 cruiser

Brown Co., OH: Regional theft ring broken
The American Legion Post 180 in Georgetown, was broken into
in late November. The thieves stole and broke into a safe which held money
and six M-1 Grand Rifles. The rifles were mainly used for ceremonial
purposes. Two Springfield Arms chrome plated rifles and a Winchester rifle
were also stolen along with two vintage machine guns from World War I and
World War II. The machine guns were valued at about $5,000 each.
Investigators believe the intent was to sell the guns.

The Arizona Republic
Jan. 2, 2005

Sandy Froman heard a strange noise in the middle of the night.

She peered through the peephole and saw a stranger trying to break into her home. Fear gripped her. As she waited for the police, she tried to scare the man off: She banged on the door. Cranked up the stereo. The man left, but the feeling of helplessness was life-changing.

"I realized that no one was going to take care of me but me. The police can't be on every street corner. You need to be prepared," said Froman, who lived in California at the time but now lives in Tucson.

This spring, Froman will take over as the president of the National Rifle Association, a 4 million-member organization that is one of the country's most powerful lobbying groups. NRA president is a spot once held by Hollywood legend Charlton Heston, a man both loved and loathed for his passionate defense of gun rights.

Froman's goals are to diversify membership and dispel what she calls the "myths of the NRA."

"The media wants to paint us all as a bunch of bubbas and rednecks, but it's simply not true," Froman said. "The image of the NRA needs to be corrected. The stereotype needs to be debunked."

Click here to read the entire story in the Arizona Republic.