As a crime victim advocate every case you handle affects you deeply. However nothing leaves more of an impact than the story of a murdered child or the story of a murdered law enforcement officer. The case of Columbus Ohio Police Officer Chris Clites is one of those stories.

In the early morning hours of December 10, 1993, Officer Chris Clites responded to a call for assistance from another officer who reported fleeing suspects from a routine traffic stop. The chase led the officers directly into an inner city neighborhood where the suspects jumped out of their vehicle and attempted to flee. Officer Clites joined two other officers in searching for the suspects. During the search Officer Clites was confronted by one of the suspects. The suspect pulled out a gun and started shooting. Officer Clites was able to shoot the suspect once in the chest before he suffered a gunshot wound to his hand. After his hand was shot, Office Clites dropped his gun and bent down to pull his backup revolver from his ankle holster. As Office Clites bent down the suspect, who was only a few feet away lying on the ground, shot Officer Clites in the head. Officer John Holloway, who witnessed the shooting, also fired upon the suspect, who died at the scene. Officer Clites died at 4:00 AM December 10, 1993 as a result of his wounds. It was later discovered that the fleeing individuals had robbed a convenience store earlier that day and were driving a stolen vehicle.

Officer Clites had served with the Columbus Police Department for 2.5 years. He was survived by his wife, his parents and his sister.

If the story ended there it would already be horrific enough. However it does not end there. As Officer Clites lay dying on the ground he, and all the officers at the scene, would be subject to racial slurs by the residents of the neighborhood while bystanders sang the song "I Shot The Sheriff". One could not even imagine what Officer Clites and his fellow officers went through that horrible night.

Sadly Officer Clites never should have been murdered. The evil scumbag who killed him was a career criminal. He had been given shock parole; several plea deals and very light sentences. Had the criminal justice system done its job, a Columbus Police Officer with an amazing future ahead of him would be alive today to protect us all. The state of Ohio was robbed on December 10th, 1993. Robbed of Officer Clites.

We feel that it is imperative Officer Clites NEVER be forgotten. We hope each of our visitors will take the time to visit Officer Clites' reflection page on the Officer Down memorial web site and leave a reflection to let his family know that he is not forgotten.

We ask that all our visitors keep Officer Clites and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Please remember Officer Clites and all law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.