NEWS

Ono offers full ride to Kim's sons

Rebecca Butts
rebbutts@enquirer.com
University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono

University of Cincinnati will cover more than just tuition costs for slain officer Sonny Kim's three sons if they choose to attend UC, President Santa Ono announced Monday.

State institutions are required by state law to offer free tuition to children and spouses of officers killed while on duty. Ono announced UC will also cover other expenses such as room and board and textbooks for Kim's sons.

Kim was killed Friday morning in a shootout with a man police say committed "suicide by cop." Since his death, the community has organized vigils, memorials, and fundraisers to support his wife and three sons.

Ono tweeted that the university will cover the undergraduate tuition costs for Tim, Joshua and Jacob if they choose to be Bearcats. The boys are currently enrolled in the Loveland School District.

The Ohio Revised Code requires state universities and community colleges to pay up to four years of tuition for children and spouses of officers who die in the line of duty.

Ono later clarified in his Twitter feed that the university will also cover room and board and any study abroad costs Kim's sons might incur, should they attend UC.