"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Cincinnati Police Officers Ronald Jeter and Daniel Pope

Two Cincinnati police officers were brutally gunned down while attempting to arrest a domestic violence suspect. Nearly 30 years later, they have not been forgotten.

(l to r) Daniel Pope and Ronald Jeter

McLean, VA (January 13, 2026) - On December 5, 1997, the Cincinnati Police Department endured one of the most devastating days in its history. Two officers—Police Specialist Ronald D. Jeter, age 34, and Police Officer Daniel J. Pope, age 35—were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a domestic‑violence suspect. Their murderer was a repeat felon who had fired a shot through the door of his girlfriend the night before, held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. As they attempted to take him into custody, the man suddenly produced a handgun and mortally wounded both officers. The cop killer fled on foot, but when officers closed in on him he put a gun to his head and died by suicide. Officer Pope’s wife, Linda, became a long-time leader with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), and is a powerful voice in support of the families of officers killed in the line of duty. Both officers were remembered by a colleague, who declared, “We will never let the legacy of two American heroes ever fade away. Both officers died doing what they did best, upholding the law. They were the best of the best and will be remembered forever.”

Listen to the podcast to learn more: https://open.substack.com/pub/behindbadge/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-d54