Trailer of man who shot and killed deputy is destroyed by fire

A camper belonging to a man believed to have killed a Clark County deputy sheriff New Year’s Day was set on fire early Saturday, officials said.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at Enon Beach Recreational Park around 4:35 a.m. Saturday, said Deputy Chief Elmer Beard, Mad River Twp. — Enon Fire and EMS.

“When we got there, flames were shooting through the roof,” he said.

Investigators have ruled the fire an arson, Beard said.

As crews extinguished the blaze, all that remained was a shell of the small structure where Michael Ferryman, 57, was believed to have been Jan. 1 before pandemonium erupted at the campground .

Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Waughtel Hopper, 40, was killed outside the camper as she investigated a report of a shot fired.

Investigators believe Ferryman emerged from the camper as Hopper investigated and fired the fatal shot.

Ferryman’s camper had been moved from its original site to a storage area on the grounds, Beard said.

Officials don’t know the manner in which the fire was set, and the investigation has been turned over to the Ohio Fire Marshal’s office.

The camper might not have been properly sealed, Beard said.

“We didn’t find any evidence that it was locked,” he said.

The blaze also caused minor damage to at least two nearby campers.

Saturday’s incident was unusual, Beard said.

“It’s just one of those situations that can always occur, but I wouldn’t say it’s common,” he said.

No injuries were reported.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

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