Ohio officer shot, critically wounded identified as 27-year veteran

SWAT Officer Steven M. Smith of the Columbus Police Department was shot and critically injured early Sunday morning. (Columbus Police Department)

The SWAT officer shot and critically wounded while trying to serve a warrant at an Ohio apartment was identified Monday as a 27-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department.

Officer Steven M. Smith, 54, remains in critical condition at OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Fox 28 reports.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Lincoln Rutledge, initially refused to surrender after the shooting Sunday morning. Police said several hours passed during which smoke and flames filled the suspect's apartment.

Rutledge finally gave up around 7:15 a.m. after a loud bang was heard inside the apartment.

He was wanted on suspicion of arson a day earlier. He now faces a preliminary charge of attempted murder.

This is not the first time Smith has been shot in the line of duty. He was injured during a shootout with a murder suspect in a Walmart parking lot in Columbus in 2013, according to Fox 28.

Doctors treated Rutledge at a separate hospital for smoke inhalation and an apparent gunshot wound.

The officer was inside a SWAT vehicle approaching the home when shots were fired, said Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs. She described the officer as a highly respected, well-liked veteran of the department.

Jacobs said the SWAT team was present because of what she called "erratic behavior" by the suspect and because police knew he had access to guns.

She said it was difficult to explain why the suspect decided to open fire, but emphasized it's a dangerous time for police.

"There are some very desperate people out there, very dangerous people out there," Jacobs said. "Sometimes they choose to go out in a certain way and-or take us on in a certain way."

The court records for Rutledge's arson charge did not list an attorney able to comment on that charge or Sunday's arrest.

It was unclear Sunday afternoon how the fire during the standoff started.

Police eventually decided to enter after not detecting movement for a long time, police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said.

After the bang was heard, Rutledge immediately surrendered and was taken out through the same window shots were fired from, Weiner said.

Click here to read more from Fox 28.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.