COPLEY -- It was one year ago Tuesday that Copley Township experienced a shooting rampage that killed 8 people, including the gunman Michael Hance.
The victims are being remembered in a ceremony at Community Park.
The memorial service for those killed here got underway at 7 p.m. in Copley at the Pavillion in Community Park.
It is the very place residents met one year ago today for a vigil the night of those killings.
The crowd heard from several speakers and saw a number of dignitaries. One of them is police officer Ben Campbell. He was first dispatched to the shooting scene at Goodenough and Schocalog roads that day.
At the time, the gunman, Michael Hance, had already killed five and shot two others of his girlfriend's family and neighbors.
Before back-up could arrive, Campbell hunted down and confronted Hance, then shot and killed him.
Campbell credits his training for the ability to respond the way he did.
As the shooter lay dying, Campbell asked him why he did it, but the suspect refused to answer.
"I remember feeling mad about that. Not only did you destroy lives and a community with what you did, he did not give us any reason. He took it with him," Campbell said.
Campbell continues to patrol Copley Township. He says it's his hometown and works every day to help maintain its small town values and keep the peace.
WKYC-TV