By John Futty
Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus police officer was recovering at home yesterday after being shot in the face at such close range that he received powder burns.
Officer Ryan Chrysler, 34, was shot in the chin Saturday night when he and his partner stopped to question three people at Weber Road and Melva Avenue in North Linden about a report of shots fired in the area. The gunman died when Chrysler and his partner returned fire.
The dead man was Brandon Rayot, 22, Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis said. Rayot’s last known address was on Dublin Road in Grandview Heights.
The local police-union president said it appeared that Chrysler was shot as soon as he stepped from his cruiser.
“This guy was trying to execute a police officer,” said Sgt. Jim Gilbert, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9.
Despite the injury, Chrysler didn’t fall and immediately fired back, Gilbert said. Chrysler’s partner, whose name has not been released by police, also fired at the gunman.
The two people who were with the gunman fled to a nearby house. Columbus SWAT officers eventually removed three adults and four juveniles from the house but determined that none was connected with the shooting, said Sgt. Rich Weiner, a police spokesman.
The bullet that struck Chrysler entered his chin, traveled along his jaw and exited through his cheek, Gilbert said.
“There was stippling and powder burns, which means the gun was no more than 12 to 15 inches from his face,” Gilbert said.
Chrysler was released from Ohio State University Medical Center yesterday morning.
“We’re so lucky,” Weiner said. “I couldn’t believe it when I went to the hospital and he was talking to the medical personnel.”
Chrysler and his partner were investigating a report that someone had fired shots at people about 9:20 p.m. outside a convenience store near Weber and McGuffey roads in North Linden. The officers and gunman exchanged gunfire at 9:38 p.m. one block east of the intersection.
Chrysler joined the Police Division in June 1999. In addition to his patrol duties, he is trained as a hostage negotiator. His wife, Jennifer Chrysler, is New Albany’s development director.
It was the second close call for Ryan Chrysler in just over a year. On Dec. 1, 2007, he was driving south on I-71 near 17th Avenue when a northbound sport-utility vehicle jumped the concrete lane divider and struck his cruiser head-on. He was treated for cuts to his head at OSU Medical Center.
Chrysler is the third Columbus officer to be wounded by gunfire this year.
On April 30, Officers Anthony Garrison and John Gillis were shot during a raid on a suspected drug house on E. Rich Street. Both have returned to work. Derrick Foster and Michael Gravely are awaiting trial on charges that include attempted murder.
Columbus officers have fired at people 19 times this year, the highest one-year total in the past decade. Six of the shootings were fatal.
“Our officers are going on more violent runs,” Gilbert said. “I’m alarmed by the number of gun runs our officers are dispatched to on a regular basis.
“We’re very fortunate we haven’t had to bury any of our officers this year out of those calls.”
Copyright 2008 Columbus Dispatch