LIMA — Local sheriff deputies are helping out in Pike County where the sheriff is overwhelmed after the murder of eight members of one family at four different locations.
Allen County sent a sergeant and two deputies to guard crime scenes on Saturday and is sending two more deputies on Thursday, Sheriff Sam Crish said.
Hardin County Sheriff Keith Everhart said he sent three deputies on Saturday and is sending five on Thursday to help out.
The local agencies are helping after the sheriff in Pike County, Charles Reader, asked for help through the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association. Pike County is small and, although it has been receiving help from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to investigate the case, is overwhelmed.
Allen and Hardin deputies are guarding crime scenes, Crish said.
“It helps free them up so they can do their actually answering calls in their county and patrolling since we are not familiar with the area,” Crish said.
Deputies each drive a separate cruiser in case they need to use it there, Crish said.
Allen County deputies are working a regular shift but there will be additional man hours that come from this. Crish said given the circumstances he approved it.
“What occurred there in Pike County is a tragedy and is taking a lot of resources. We want to be able to help,” Crish said.
No arrests have been made in the execution-style killings of members of the Rhoden family. Reader has warned residents in his county, especially other members of the Rhoden family, to arm themselves with guns for protection if they are in fear because officers cannot be everywhere.
Reader and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Tuesday 79 pieces of evidence have been tested at the state crime lab, including for DNA, ballistics, fingerprints and trace analysis.
Authorities also have served more search warrants but they are not releasing details on that.
Altogether, 215 law enforcement officials have contributed to the investigation, including officers, scientists, prosecutors and coroner office officials. Besides Allen and Hardin counties, 21 other sheriff offices have sent deputies to help.
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