Officer cleared to return to active duty following February shooting

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PIQUA – The Piqua Police Department announced today that Lt. Marcos Rodriguez has been cleared to return to active duty following an officer-involved shooting earlier this year.

At the Piqua Police Department’s request, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (Ohio BCI) investigated the incident. Upon review of the Ohio BCI report, Miami County Prosecuting Attorney Paul M. Watkins issued a letter to Piqua Police Chief Rick Byron stating that Lt. Rodriguez’s actions were “justified.”

“There is no evidence to suggest that an objectively reasonable officer would have acted differently in this incident,” Watkins wrote. “I conclude that Lt. Rodriguez was justified in all respects when he discharged his weapon … Moreover, Lt. Rodriguez acted in a manner consistent with his training.”

Four officers responded to a domestic violence call at 4:44 p.m., February 21, 2025, at 236 McKinley Ave., Piqua. Lt. Rodriguez has been on paid administrative leave since the incident. The other three officers present at the incident remained on active duty.

There will be no further updates from the Piqua Police Department regarding this incident.