Body of slain Ohio police officer escorted to funeral home

COLUMBUS (AP) — A law-enforcement procession in the capital city has escorted the body of a slain police officer to a funeral home.

Columbus officer Steven M. Smith died Tuesday after he was critically wounded when a man opened fire on a SWAT team trying to arrest him two days earlier.

Police say 44-year-old Columbus resident Lincoln Rutledge shot Smith and held police at bay for several hours on Sunday.

Rutledge has been denied bond and remains jailed on charges including felonious assault.

A procession today, including police cruisers and officers on horseback ,escorted Smith’s body from the Franklin County coroner’s office to a downtown funeral home.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien says charges against Rutledge could carry the death penalty because of the officer’s death.