CLEVELAND -- The community is mourning a Cleveland police officer who was killed in the line of duty Wednesday night.

Officials said 37-year-old Officer Jonathan A.J. Schroeder, along with the 1st district vice unit, was serving an arrest warrant to suspect Wilson Santiago in the 2,000 block of West 98th Street near Madison Avenue just before midnight when the shooting occurred.

Officials said 13 officers surrounded the house before some officers, including Schroeder, went up to the house to identify themselves. Officials said Santiago opened the door and then slammed it shut and then fired the shots through the door.

Officials said that Schroeder, a 10-year veteran, was wearing a bulletproof vest, but the bullet struck him under the armpit. Officers returned fire, but the suspect was not shot, they said.

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The suspect fired two shots, but it is unclear how many shots were returned by law enforcement agents.

Schroeder was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he died. The Cuyahoga County coroner has ruled his death a homicide.

Schroeder, a 1992 Kent State graduate, leaves behind his wife, Amy, and his 8-month-old son, Eric.

Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association President Steve Loomis held an emotional press conference Thursday afternoon, talking about Schroeder and how much he was loved and will be missed.

He talked about Schroeder's ever-present smile and extreme patience, saying he even treated his suspects as if they were victims.

He called Schroeder a "joy to be around" and "a genuinely good human being," saying, "I dare you to find anyone who would say differently."

Throughout the day, residents paid their respect to the slain officer with balloons, flowers and stuffed animals. Schroeder was the fifth Cleveland police officer killed in the line of duty in the past 10 years.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday at the A. Ripepi and Sons Funeral Home, at 18149 Bagley Road in Middleburg Heights. Bishop Richard Lennon will preside at a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland.

Schroeder will be buried in Good Shepherd Cemetery in his old hometown of Monroeville, Pa., near Pittsburgh.

The 37-year-old Santiago, who was a rape and burglary suspect, is now in police custody. Police said charges are not expected to be filed against Santiago until sometime Friday.

The arrest warrant charges stem from crimes allegedly committed on West 100th Street, also involved alleged kidnapping. He is accused of raping the mother of a friend.

He has an extensive criminal history involving weapons and assault, officials said.

A fund has been set up for Schroeder's family. The Jonathan Schroeder Memorial Fund has been set up in the care of the Cleveland Police Credit Union, located at 2301 Payne Ave. in Cleveland.

Other Police Deaths

Five police officers have died in the last 10 years in the line of duty.

The last officer was killed six years ago. Officer Wayne Leon was killed in June 2000. Quisi Bryant was convicted in connection with his death. Bryant is on death row.

Officer Robert Clark was killed in the line of duty in 1998.

Hilary Cudnik was killed in 1996. He was attempting to stop a driver in an alleged stolen car.