Ravenna police: 'Our hearts are broken' following officer's sudden death

The Ravenna Police Department is mourning the sudden death of one of its officers.

"We want to share our sadness with you on the tragic and sudden death of one of our officers, 27-year-old Thomas Wike," the department posted on Facebook late Monday morning. "Tom honorably served the Ravenna community for three years with dedication and compassion. Our hearts are broken, and our deepest condolences are with the Wike family."

According to his obituary, Wike died suddenly at his home on Friday.

"Tom was a great officer, a young officer and somebody that will be sorely missed," said Ravenna Police Capt. Jake Smallfield on Monday.

An attempt to contact Wike's family through the police department was not immediately successful. Smallfield declined to provide details about Wike's death.

"We are kind of letting the family dictate what gets out about officer Wike," said Smallfield.

Thomas "Tom" E. Wike Jr. was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 1996, but grew up in Brookfield Township in Trumbull County, according to his obituary. After graduating from Brookfield High School in 2014, Wike enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard, serving as a diesel mechanic and recovery specialist before being honorably discharged after eight years.

Wike earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University in 2020. He also graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and in October 2020 was sworn in as a Ravenna police patrolman. His goals as a police officer included becoming a K-9 officer.

"Tom was a very nice individual," said Smallfield. "Very, very well spoken. Really, really squared away."

In his spare time, Wike "enjoyed hunting deer, learning how to smoke meat, loving on his dog, and spending time with friends," according to his obituary

"He had an amazing sense of humor and lit up every room he was in," says the obituary. "Tom was a man of integrity and compassion, who put the needs of his family and community above his own. He will be missed more than words can say."

A time of gathering will be held in Wike's honor 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Briceland Funeral Service, 379 state Route 7 SE, in Brookfield. A private service will be held Thursday.

Wike's obituary requests that contributions be made in his memory to COPLINE, which operates a help and suicide prevention line for police officers and their families.

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna police mourning sudden death of officer, 27, in his home