LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) -Â During a press conference between the City of Lima and the Lima Police Department on Monday evening, Lima Police Chief Curtis Hile says Bryce Metz was the officer struck by gunfire during a shootout with suspect Emerson Jeffrey. In the conference, Chief Hile provided an update on Metz' condition.
"He was released from Mercy Health St. Rita's [Monday] afternoon at about 3:30 PM, so he's got a long recovery process ahead of him but he's doing well," says Chief Curtis Hile, Lima Police Department.
7 Lima police officers have also been placed on paid administrative leave per city protocol in officer-involved shooting investigations. City officials released the names of those officers on leave.
"Officer Bryce Metz, Mikel Martinez, Corey Long, Rylee Leonard, Dylan Herzog, Logan Patton, and Chance Flynn," the 7 LPD officers on leave says Chief Hile.
The City of Lima and LPD also have released both dash cam and body cam footage from the incident. Chief Hile detailed the sequence of events that went down.
"Officers conducted a traffic stop on St. Johns Avenue just north of 2nd Street. During that traffic stop, a backseat passenger identified as Emerson Jeffrey produced a handgun, fired several rounds at Officer Metz, striking him. Officers returned fire," explained Chief Hile.
After the first round of gunfire, Jeffrey appeared to shoot back at officers, resulting LPD to return fire while Officer Metz was laying on the ground. After Friday’s shooting, Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith is committed to see justice served.
"Ohio BCI will be investigating any possible misconduct on the officer, and the Lima Police Department will investigate the suspect's commission of a crime," says Mayor Sharetta Smith, City of Lima. "We will work with our courts and our prosecutors to ensure that is served."
To see the full LPD dash cam and body cam footage, click the following link: City of Lima October 31, 2025, Officer-Involved Shooting Dash & Body Cam Footage. Please be advised that the footage is graphic in nature, and age verification is required to view it.
