The firearms instructor under investigation in the shooting death of a co-worker received stellar employee reviews, took dozens of training courses and climbed the ranks within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, his personnel file shows.

David Pearson and another firearms instructor were set to lead a five-day class for state employees at the Corrections Training Academy in Pickaway County when Lt. Rodney Osborne was fatally shot in the chest on the first day of class on April 9.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said it is investigating the shooting as a possible reckless homicide. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction placed Pearson on administrative leave April 10 while troopers investigate.

More on Ohio prison Lt. Rodney Osborne: Rodney Osborne, Ohio prison lieutenant fatally shot during training, remembered as hero

Pearson’s 1,519-page training and personnel file includes records of him acknowledging gun range safety rules, including “Treat all firearms as if they are loaded” and “Never point a firearm at any person unless you are prepared to shoot that person or unless participating in a controlled supervised training program.”

Osborne was shot at 11:10 a.m. when students were scheduled to take a lunch break.

Pearson could not be reached for comment.

Witnesses have said the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction instructed them not to talk to the media. The patrol denied a request by The Dispatch to release the witness statements.

Who is David Pearson?

Over the years, Pearson’s supervisors described him as a hard worker who is trustworthy, reliable, and smart. Shortly after starting as a corrections officer in 2005, he joined the special response team.

He signed up for dozens of training courses, even beyond the mandatory classes. He moonlighted as an auxiliary police officer in Harveysburg, a shopping mall security officer in suburban Cincinnati and a hospital police officer at Kettering Health Hamilton.

In January 2021, the prison department promoted Pearson to west regional special operations commander. Pearson and William Bauer, the second instructor at the April 9 training, were scheduled to lead two dozen training courses at the prison Special Operations Center this year.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

COLUMBUS — Kiley S. Holbrook of Amanda, has been named a 2024 Distinguished Senior at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

“The Distinguished Senior Award is the most prestigious undergraduate award in CFAES and honors top graduating seniors on the Ohio State Columbus campus,” said Ann Christy, CFAES professor and associate dean for academic programs. “The 23 award recipients exemplify the CFAES mission in areas such as academics and scholarship, research and innovation, service and involvement, and influence and leadership.”

Holbrook is an agricultural communication major in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL). She was nominated by college faculty and staff who felt that she personified the award’s attributes of academic, disciplinary, and professional excellence.

The first-generation college student was on the dean’s list for seven semesters and worked under ACEL associate professor Annie Specht on what she calls her most valuable learning experience. She volunteered as a researcher on an Ohio State University Extension project. Along with several undergraduate students, she analyzed the digital media output of agriculture and natural resources Extension teams to establish their patterns of communication with stakeholder groups and set a baseline for a future communications plan.

The Fairfield County resident completed three summer internships. Her love of public policy led her to internships as a legislative page with the Ohio House of Representatives, as a policy intern with Ohio Corn & Wheat, and as an intern with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Holbrook’s extracurricular activities included service as a member of Ohio Corn & Wheat’s Collegiate Policy Academy, the John Glenn Civic Leadership Council, a CFAES Ambassador, and host for the Experience Ohio State for a Day program. She was also a member of the Mount Leadership Society Scholars program, and did volunteer work for The Columbus Dream Center, Garrett Recovery, and Amanda Christian Church.

“Kiley was also one of 10 U.S. students named to a cohort of the Cargill Global Scholars, a leadership development experience that brings together university students from across the globe to discuss and dissect systemic challenges that face our global community,” said Annie Specht, her academic and research advisor. “The topic of food security resonated with Kiley, due to her own childhood experiences of scarcity.”

All of these experiences resulted in a newfound sense of self-confidence for Holbrook. “It took me almost four years to realize that I deserve the life that I am living, not because it was given to me, but because I have worked hard to earn it. This is my greatest sense of self-accomplishment,” she said.

After graduation, Holbrook will either attend graduate school or contribute to the agricultural industry through a career focused on advocacy for agricultural policy. “My aspiration is to secure a position as a policy analyst specializing in international agriculture and trade policy,” she said. “I aim to eventually pursue a PhD and work in agriculture policy research.”

A reception for the Distinguished Senior Award recipients and their families was held on Thursday, April 4, hosted by Ann Christy and Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean. Meet the 23 outstanding students and learn more about each via a YouTube video release at go.osu.edu/CFAES2024DSA.

“Honoring the award recipients for their excellence will be a highlight for us this spring. These students have excelled and most certainly will continue to thrive in their future careers,” said Christy.

In autumn 2023, there were 2,224 undergraduate students in CFAES pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in 21 majors. Learn more about CFAES academic programs at go.osu.edu/B4V2.