Newly released Ohio State Highway Patrol personnel records document how the agency moved from a felony arrest to a termination in 16 days — and show that Trooper Nathaniel Cain’s supervisor had praised him as a model officer just months before the charge that ended his career.
Cain, 23, faces one count of strangulation, a third-degree felony, in Seneca County Common Pleas Court, stemming from a May 19 incident at the Tiffin home he shared with his girlfriend. The Ohio Department of Public Safety Director D. Andrew Wilson signed Cain’s termination letter on Wednesday, June 3, citing a violation of OSHP Rule 4501:2-6-02(I)(2) — Conduct Unbecoming an Officer. The termination was served to Cain at approximately 11:00 a.m. the following day, Thursday, June 4, with that date listed as the effective date.
The records, released to TiffinOhio.net in response to a public records request, trace the full internal sequence. An OSHP administrative investigation was opened on Thursday, May 21 by Lieutenant Chad E. Smith of the Administrative Investigation Unit, two days after Cain’s arrest. The agency placed Cain on unpaid administrative leave effective Friday, May 22. On Tuesday, May 26, Bucyrus District Commander Captain Scott C. Rike filed a formal statement of charges against Cain with OSHP Superintendent Colonel Charles A. Jones, recommending termination. The following day, Wednesday, May 27, Superintendent Jones issued a pre-disciplinary notice to Cain and scheduled a hearing for June 2 at the Bucyrus District Headquarters.
At the Tuesday, June 2 pre-disciplinary hearing, Cain appeared and was represented by Bruce Elling, a labor representative from the Ohio State Troopers Association. Cain did not provide testimony. Lieutenant Smith attended via video conference and presented the findings of the administrative investigation. Staff Lieutenant Richard P. Reeder, the meeting officer, concluded that just cause existed for discipline and forwarded his recommendation to Director Wilson. Wilson signed the termination letter the next day.
The termination letter states that Cain was fired “for violation of Ohio State Highway Patrol Rules and Regulations 4501:2-6-02(I)(2) Conduct Unbecoming an Officer,” specifically as a result of administrative investigation #2026-13312, in which “it was found that you were charged with a third-degree felony.”
Before the arrest, Cain’s disciplinary record was clean. A deportment record generated on May 21 — the same day the administrative investigation was opened — shows no prior disciplinary history.
Performance evaluations spanning his first year at the Norwalk Post, all written by his supervisor Jordan Schwochow, consistently praised Cain’s work ethic, professionalism, and enforcement numbers. Schwochow noted he had become one of the leaders in traffic stops and proactive enforcement at the post. In the overall summary of his annual review, completed in October 2025 and covering the period from October 2024 through September 2025 — roughly seven months before his arrest — Schwochow wrote that Cain “doesn’t engage in any behaviors that would bring discredit to himself, the Norwalk Post or the Division.”
The evaluations were not uniformly positive. In two consecutive reviews, Cain received a “Does Not Meet” rating for administrative follow-through, with Schwochow noting he was slow to turn in reports, slow to respond to supervisors by phone and email, and needed repeated reminders to complete basic tasks including required trainings. A corrective plan was put in place, and the evaluations note some improvement, but the issue persisted through his final review in November 2025. His overall rating across all three evaluations was “Meets Expectations.”
Cain had been hired by the Patrol on April 15, 2024, and took his oath of office on November 8, 2024, as a member of the 174th Academy Class. He was assigned to the Norwalk Post in the Bucyrus District. He was terminated less than 14 months after his hire date.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol previously confirmed Cain’s termination in a written statement to TiffinOhio.net. “The Patrol took immediate action upon learning of the allegations, the employee has since been terminated,” the agency said. “The conduct alleged does not reflect the values of this agency.”
The criminal case remains pending before Common Pleas Judge Damon D. Alt, with the Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuting. Cain posted a $75,000 bond on May 28 and is not in custody. His attorney, Dean Henry, has not responded to a request for comment.
A criminal charge is an allegation. Cain is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
Newly released Ohio State Highway Patrol personnel records document how the agency moved from a felony arrest to a termination in 16 days — and show that Trooper Nathaniel Cain’s supervisor had praised him as a model officer just months before the charge that ended his career. Cain, 23, faces one count of strangulation, a third degree felony, in Seneca County Common Pleas Court, stemming from a May 19 incident at the Tiffin home he shared with his girlfriend. The Ohio Department of Public Safety Director D. Andrew Wilson signed Cain’s termination letter on Wednesday, June 3, citing a violation of OSHP Rule 4501:2 6 02(I)(2) — Conduct Unbecoming an Officer. The termination was served to Cain at approximately 11:00 a.m. the following day, Thursday, June 4, with that date listed as the effective date. The records, released to TiffinOhio.net in response to a public records request, trace the full internal sequence. An OSHP administrative investigation was opened on Thursday, May 21 by Lieutenant Chad E. Smith of the Administrative Investigation Unit, two days after Cain’s arrest. The agency placed Cain on unpaid administrative leave effective Friday, May 22. On Tuesday, May 26, Bucyrus District Commander Captain Scott C. Rike filed a formal statement of charges against Cain with OSHP Superintendent Colonel Charles A. Jones, recommending termination. The following day, Wednesday, May 27, Superintendent Jones issued a pre disciplinary notice to Cain and scheduled a hearing for June 2 at the Bucyrus District Headquarters. At the Tuesday, June 2 pre disciplinary hearing, Cain appeared and was represented by Bruce Elling, a labor representative from the Ohio State Troopers Association. Cain did not provide testimony. Lieutenant Smith attended via video conference and presented the findings of the administrative investigation. Staff Lieutenant Richard P. Reeder, the meeting officer, concluded that just cause existed for discipline and forwarded his recommendation to Director Wilson. Wilson signed the termination letter the next day. The termination letter states that Cain was fired “for violation of Ohio State Highway Patrol Rules and Regulations 4501:2 6 02(I)(2) Conduct Unbecoming an Officer,” specifically as a result of administrative investigation 2026 13312, in which “it was found that you were charged with a third degree felony.” Before the arrest, Cain’s disciplinary record was clean. A deportment record generated on May 21 — the same day the administrative investigation was opened — shows no prior disciplinary history. Performance evaluations spanning his first year at the Norwalk Post, all written by his supervisor Jordan Schwochow, consistently praised Cain’s work ethic, professionalism, and enforcement numbers. Schwochow noted he had become one of the leaders in traffic stops and proactive enforcement at the post. In the overall summary of his annual review, completed in October 2025 and covering the period from October 2024 through September 2025 — roughly seven months before his arrest — Schwochow wrote that Cain “doesn’t engage in any behaviors that would bring discredit to himself, the Norwalk Post or the Division.” The evaluations were not uniformly positive. In two consecutive reviews, Cain received a “Does Not Meet” rating for administrative follow through, with Schwochow noting he was slow to turn in reports, slow to respond to supervisors by phone and email, and needed repeated reminders to complete basic tasks including required trainings. A corrective plan was put in place, and the evaluations note some improvement, but the issue persisted through his final review in November 2025. His overall rating across all three evaluations was “Meets Expectations.” Cain had been hired by the Patrol on April 15, 2024, and took his oath of office on November 8, 2024, as a member of the 174th Academy Class. He was assigned to the Norwalk Post in the Bucyrus District. He was terminated less than 14 months after his hire date. The Ohio State Highway Patrol previously confirmed Cain’s termination in a written statement to TiffinOhio.net. “The Patrol took immediate action upon learning of the allegations, the employee has since been terminated,” the agency said. “The conduct alleged does not reflect the values of this agency.” The criminal case remains pending before Common Pleas Judge Damon D. Alt, with the Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuting. Cain posted a $75,000 bond on May 28 and is not in custody. His attorney, Dean Henry, has not responded to a request for comment. A criminal charge is an allegation. Cain is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted in court.
Continue reading for free.
Sign up for TiffinOhio.net's free newsletter to continue. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
