MENTOR, Ohio -- Members of the Mentor community on Monday gathered to honor the police officer who was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend.
Members of the Mentor High School volleyball team gathered outside the police department Monday morning, where a memorial honoring Ptrl. Mathew Mazany has grown since Sunday. Two of the girls became emotional while talking about their fathers, who are members of the Mentor police force.
Police took one person into custody Sunday morning in connection to the deadly incident.
The crash happened around 1 a.m. Sunday as Mazany was assisting with a traffic stop on state Route 2 eastbound near state Route 306. Another car struck Mazany and fled the scene.
Mazany was taken to TriPoint Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police spent hours searching for the suspect vehicle, described as a dark-colored Jeep Wrangler with front end damage. The car was later found at Mentor Lagoons Marina.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Brian Anthony, of Kirtland, was taken into custody around 9 a.m. Sunday. He pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning.
Mentor Police have set up the Officer Mathew Mazany Memorial Fund. Money raised through the fund will go to his surviving family members. CLICK HERE to make a donation.
In addition, Mentor Police have requested that no memorials for Officer Mazany be placed on SR 2 because of safety concerns: