Morrow County Sheriff’s deputy Daniel Weston Sherrer would not have wanted a death penalty trial for the man who killed him, Prosecutor Andrew Wick said.
Despite being shot multiple times, mocked and sworn at by Brian Wilson as he lay dying, Wick said Sherrer would have been okay with the resolution of Wilson’s criminal case on May 26, 2026 – exactly one year after Sherrer’s death at age 31.
Morrow County Common Pleas Judge James Kimbler sentenced Wilson, 54, to life in prison with no possibility for parole plus an additional 27 to 32½ years in prison. Wilson pleaded guilty on May 6 to all 14 charges against him in connection with the fatal shooting of Sherrer, including aggravated murder. The sentence Wilson received was agreed to by his legal team and prosecutors.
Deputy Sherrer would have wanted to spare killer’s family heartache
Wick said if the case were about him or the people who feel justified in asking for the death penalty, Wilson would die for his actions.
“It is about Weston Sherrer, who would’ve wanted to ensure as few people in this community suffer from this case as possible, who would’ve wanted to see this community that he loved and gave his life for spared from a long, drawn-out trial and years of appeals that would’ve resulted,” Wick said.
“He would have wanted to save the defendant’s family from having to witness their loved one’s actions,” Wick continued. “His goal from a year ago is being served today. The defendant’s life is being saved.”
Statements read in court by Sherrer’s family members, as well as his fiancé, Alexandria Lyon, and her parents, Dan and Kerry Lyon; and a statement read by Wick on behalf of Sherrer’s parents, all shared a common theme: his selflessness.
Following Sherrer’s death, multiple Morrow County jail inmates called family members crying over the news of his death. Wick said other community members who had active arrest warrants came to Sherrer’s memorial, knowing they’d be arrested, to pay their respects.
All of that spoke to the man Sherrer was and why the sentence agreed to, the maximum possible under Ohio law, was deserved in Wilson’s case.
Wilson’s ‘senseless, drunk anger’ contributed to deputy’s death, attorney says
Kirk McVay, one of Wilson’s attorneys, said after the victim-impact statements that saying anything on behalf of Wilson was one of the most challenging things a lawyer could be asked to do. McVay said he understood that anything he or Wilson could say may fall on deaf ears and ring hollow.
“Nobody is as evil as they appear or how they acted on their worst day,” McVay said.
No one can answer why Wilson did what he did, either, McVay said, even Wilson himself. Wilson became angry due to family strife and began drinking, McVay said, to the point that Wilson said he has no memory of parts of the shooting.
Wilson’s “senseless, drunk anger” continued onto Sherrer, who tried to help the situation.
“He showed himself to be a great man on that day,” McVay said.
Wilson offered a tearful statement on his own behalf, apologizing for what he did and saying that all he can do now is try to help the healing process.
“No words can change or fix what happened that day, and for that I’m sorry,” Wilson said. “I can’t undo what was done. If I could trade my life for Deputy Sherrer’s, I would, but I can’t.”
What happened when Deputy Weston Sherrer was shot?
Around 7:40 p.m. on May 26, 2025, Sherrer responded to a house on County Road 26 after a domestic dispute escalated into gunfire. Sherrer approached Wilson, who was sitting on the porch, holding a gun. Wilson threatened Sherrer, whose last words were: “Brian, don’t.”
Wick said Wilson fired at Sherrer, who wounded Wilson in return fire before falling mortally wounded, still trying to reach for his police radio to warn other first responders. Wilson mocked Sherrer, Wick said, swearing at him.
Wilson pulled the trigger of his firearm 15 times in dry fires before reloading, firing five more rounds and then pulling the gun’s trigger an additional 16 times. Wilson declared victory, Wick said, until other first responders and deputies arrived and gave him medical care for his wounds.
Sherrer graduated from St. Charles Prepatory Academy in Bexley and from Bowling Green State University. He joined the Morrow County Sheriff’s office in May 2021, fulfilling a lifelong goal of being in law enforcement.
Sherrer is survived by his parents, Daniel and Julie; his sister, Selby; his fiancé, Alex; and an extended family of aunts and uncles.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Slain deputy wouldn’t have wanted death penalty trial, prosecutor says
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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