Deputy Brandon Roberts was shot as he approached the suspects in their car, which was stopped along Hamilton-Eaton Road in northern Butler County, a few miles east of Oxford.

Roberts, 26, of Hamilton was in serious condition Wednesday night at Miami Valley Regional Hospital in Dayton, authorities said. He has been on the force for four years.

"It's a tough night," Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said. "He took a pretty big slug.

"When they come in the county and shoot one of my deputies, it's like coming into my home and shooting one of my family members. I will not tolerate it."

Mark Kendrick, 24, and Robert P. Morris, 19, no addresses available, were in custody and being questioned by deputies. Sheriff's investigators said they expected to file charges Wednesday night or early today. Possible charges include attempted murder of a police officer, Jones said. Both of the suspects have criminal records and have done time in the Butler County jail, he said.

Authorities gave this account of what led up to the shooting:

About 4:48 p.m., two men wearing ski masks jumped out of an older black Toyota in front of the Farmers State Bank in College Corner, Ind. Union County Sheriff Steve Leverton said the men, who carried sawed-off shotguns, yanked on the doors. It was closed.

A witness who saw the men called police, who put out a description of the men and vehicle.

A ranger from Hueston Woods State Park spotted the black Toyota parked next to a blue Chevrolet on College Corner Camden Road, with the occupants talking to each other. When the two cars pulled away, he followed the Toyota and pulled it over, questioning the driver.

Authorities think the suspects involved in the shooting had exchanged cars with the other driver, who voluntarily went with deputies to the shooting scene and was being questioned by Butler County deputies Wednesday night.

The suspects apparently drove to Camden, in Preble County, and held up a convenience store there, police said. They were followed by the Camden police chief, who was unarmed and driving his private vehicle. He radioed Butler County deputies.

One suspect was treated for an injury before being taken in for questioning, Jones said.

News that Roberts had been shot spread quickly throughout the close-knit Clinton Avenue neighborhood in Hamilton where Roberts lived until recently and where many of his relatives still live, neighbor Rhonda Schuerman said.

Roberts, a graduate of Badin High School, was married in 2003 in Fairfield. He and his wife have a young daughter.

Roberts' father, Gary, retired from the Hamilton police department.

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