City of Columbus

Officer Cyrus Beebe Officer Cyrus Beebe 1854-04-27 Bebe Cyrus Patrolman Cyrus Beebe Entered Division of Police Date Unknown   Died In the Line of Duty April 27, 1854   The first officer killed in the line of duty was Cyrus Beebe. On April 27, 1854, Beebe, whose date of entrance to the City Police is un - learn more

Officer John Manning Officer John Manning's death was the result of a stab wound he received in the line of duty on November 3, 1888 while attempting to break up a fight between three men near the intersection of Chestnut Street and North 3rd Street. - learn more

Detective Abe Kleeman The second officer killed in the line of duty was Detective Abe Kleeman, whose date of entrance into the department is not listed in official records. - learn more

Patrolman Daniel Davis 1908-06-07 Davis Daniel Patrolman Daniel Davis Entered Division of Police May 25, 1899 Died In the Line of Duty June 7, 1908 Patrolman Daniel E. Davis, who entered the department in 1899, was the third officer killed while on duty.  As night headquarters man, he received a call that prowlers were burglar - learn more

Patrolman Harry E. Campbell 1908-12-24 Campbell Harry E Patrolman Harry E. Campbell Entered Division of Police September 27, 1906 Died In the Line of Duty December 24, 1908 Patrolman Harry E. Campbell, who came into the department September 27, 1906, was the fourth patrolman slain in the line of duty.  On December24, 1908, he was s - learn more

Patrolman Frank P. Ward 1911-06-09 Ward Frank P Patrolman Frank P. Ward Entered Division of Police May 8, 1911 Died In the Line of Duty June 9, 1911 Patrolman Frank P. Ward came on the Police Force May 8, 1911 and just one month later on June 9, after being made a full fledged patrolman, was shot and killed by one Charles Glass o - learn more

Officer William Sexton 1913-03-25 Sexton William Patrolman William Sexton Entered Division of Police May 1, 1905 Died In the Line of Duty March 25, 1913 The sixth officer killed in the line of duty was William Sexton, who entered the Police Department as a patrolman May I, 1905, and who was later made Probation Officer.  During - learn more

Patrolman James Ballard 1914-11-09 Ballard James Patrolman James Ballard Entered Division of Police July 1, 1913 Died In the Line of Duty November 9, 1914 Patrolman James Ballard came into the department July 1, 1913, and on November 9, 1914 was walking his beat when he discovered burglars had broken into Tom Hall's Restaurant at - learn more

Patrolman Joseph Lavendar Patrolman Joseph Lavender, the seventh officer killed in the line of duty, entered the department April 29, 1913 and died June 26, 1913, two months later. - learn more

Patrolman John Laufhutte 1916-08-22 Laufhutte John Patrolman John Laufhutte Entered Division of Police June 10, 1916 Died In the Line of Duty August 22, 1916 Patrolman John Laufhutte came into the department June 10, 1916.  On August 22, 1916, he stepped from a business place at Beck and High Streets and noticed two suspicious men - learn more

Detective William Rourke 1917-11-24 Rourke William Detective William Rourke Entered Division of Police June 17, 1888 Died In the Line of Duty November 24, 1917 Detective William Rourke became a member of the department June 17, 1888, and was killed November 24, 1917.  Assigned to the pawnshop detail, he was making his rounds when o - learn more

Patrolman David L. Jenkins 1919-02-08 Jenkins David L Patrolman David L. Jenkins Entered Division of Police May 17, 1917 Died In the Line of Duty February 8, 1919 Patrolman David L. Jenkins was made an officer May 17, 1917.  On February 8, 1919, he was walking his district beat on the south side when he was summoned to a residence on - learn more

Patrolman Adolph G. Schneider 1920-09-23 Schneider Adolph G Patrolman Adolph G. Schneider Entered Division of Police May 20, 1899 Died In the Line of Duty September 23, 1920 Patrolman Adolph G. Schneider came into the department May 20, 1899, and was killed September 23, 1920.  He was working out of headquarters with Patrolman Ed Nichol - learn more

Detective Charles E. Tiller 1920-10-28 Tiller Charles E Detective Charles E. Tiller Entered Division of Police May 17, 1917 Died In the Line of Duty October 28, 1920 Detective Charles E. Tiller became a policeman May 17, 1917.  He was slain on October 28, 1920 when he accosted a suspected bootlegger in a saloon at Maple and Armstrong - learn more

Patrolman Jesse Reall 1921-02-26 Reall Jesse Patrolman Jesse Reall Entered Division of Police October 9, 1918 Died In the Line of Duty February 26, 1921 Patrolman Jesse Reall entered the department October 9, 1918, and was killed February 26, 1921.  While working in plain clothes, he intercepted the delivery of a load of whiskey - learn more

Patrolman Granston P. Koehler 1922-11-28 Koehler Granston P Patrolman Granston P. Koehler Entered Division of Police July 1, 1913 Died In the Line of Duty November 28, 1922 Patrolman Granston P. Koehler, the 15th officer killed in the line of duty, came into the department July 1, 1913.  On November 28, 1922, he was working on the north - learn more

Patrolman Troy C. Stewart 1924-04-22 Stewart Troy C Patrolman Troy C. Stewart Entered Division of Police October 11, 1923 Died In the Line of Duty April 22, 1924 Patrolman Troy C. Stewart was appointed October 11, 1923, and died April 22, 1924.  While working in plain clothes assigned to the vice squad, he was shot in the legs and a - learn more

Patrolman Harry E. Shaffer 1925-03-09 Shaffer Harry E Patrolman Harry E. Shaffer Entered Division of Police July 1, 1920 Died In the Line of Duty March 9, 1925 Patrolman Harry E. Shaffer was appointed July 1, 1920, and was killed March 9, 1925, while pursuing a suspected auto thief at midnight at Broad and Lazelle Streets.  Patrolman - learn more

Detective Walter 0. Womeldorf 1925-05-29 Womeldorf Walter O Detective Walter 0. Womeldorf Entered Division of Police July 1, 1920 Died In the Line of Duty May 29, 1925 Detective Walter O. Womeldorf entered the department July 1, 1920, and was shot to death May 29, 1925.  He was working with fellow officers and probation agents when boot - learn more

Patrolman William Sweinsberger 1926-01-07 Sweinsberger William Patrolman William Sweinsberger Entered Division of Police February 11, 1903 Died In the Line of Duty January 7, 1926 Patrolman William Sweinsberger, who entered the department February 11, 1903, was working his district January 7, 1926.  He had just left a patrol call box and - learn more

Patrolman Horace D. Elliott 1927-03-29 Elliott Horace E Patrolman Horace D. Elliott Entered Division of Police July 13, 1923 Died In the Line of Duty March 29, 1927 Patrolman Horace D. Elliott, who came into the department July 13, 1923, was the 20th officer killed in the line of duty.  About 11 a.m. on March 29, 1927, he was riding h - learn more

Patrolman Thomas Day 1931-07-07 Day Thomas Patrolman Thomas Day Entered Division of Police July 1, 1920 Died In the Line of Duty July 7, 1931 Patrolman Thomas Day was appointed July 1, 1920, and died July 7, 1931.  He was bringing a prisoner to Police Headquarters and suffered a fractured skull when the auto in which he was rid - learn more

Patrolman Leslie Green 1931-10-04 Green Leslie Patrolman Leslie Green Entered Division of Police May 2, 1928 Died In the Line of Duty October 4, 1931 Patrolman Leslie Green became a policeman May 2, 1928, and lost his life October 4, 1931.  With Patrolman Clell Cox, he was assigned to patrol wagon duty when called to Grant Avenu - learn more

Patrolman Ross Porter 1934-07-23 Porter Ross Patrolman Ross Porter Entered Division of Police March 27, 1922 Died In the Line of Duty July 23, 1934 Patrolman Ross Porter entered the department March 27, 1922.  On May 23, 1934, while making an emergency run, the car in which he and Patrolman Uhlan Boystel were riding collided wit - learn more

Patrolman Edward J. Murphy 1935-05-11 Murphy Edward J Patrolman Edward J. Murphy Entered Division of Police October 9, 1922 Died In the Line of Duty May 11, 1935 Patrolman Edward J. Murphy became a policeman October 9, 1922. One of the most beloved officers on the force, he met his death May 11, 1935, in a gun battle with a burglary - learn more

Chief Frederick F. Kundts Chief Frederick F. Kundts died as a result of injuries he sustained in an automobile accident while operating a city-owned vehicle and in the performance of his official duties. - learn more

Patrolman John P. Sears 1936-11-30 Sears John P Patrolman John P. Sears Entered Division of Police November 1, 1922 Died In the Line of Duty November 30, 1936 Patrolman John P. Sears came into the department November 1, 1922.  He was killed in a freak accident November 30, 1936, in the same building where the slayer of his former - learn more

Detective Robert R. Cline false Append 1938-02-05 Cline Robert R Detective Robert R. Cline Entered Division of Police February 1, 1927 Died In the Line of Duty February 5,1938 Detective Robert R. Cline became a member of the police force on February 1, 1927, and was killed in the line of duty, February 5, 1938.  I - learn more

Patrolman Campbell K. Jenkins 1939-01-09 Jenkins Campbell K Patrolman Campbell K. Jenkins Entered Division of Police August 23, 1937 Died In the Line of Duty January 9, 1939 Patrolman Campbell K. Jenkins entered the police department August 23, 1937, and died January 9, 1939.  Mystery still surrounds the death of Patrolman Jenkins who w - learn more

Patrolman John M. McCullough 1942-01-18 McCullough John M Patrolman John M. McCullough Entered Division of Police March 5, 1941 Died In the Line of Duty January 18, 1942 Patrolman John M. McCullough came into the department March 5, 1941, and lost his life January 18, 1942.  A member of the department only a short time, he was assigned - learn more

Patrolman Thomas E. Webb 1956-08-17 Webb Thomas E Patrolman Thomas E. Webb Entered Division of Police February 1, 1950 Died In the Line of Duty August 17, 1956 Patrolman Thomas E. Webb, 31, was the 29th officer killed in the line of duty. Officer Webb, son of retired Sergeant George Webb, was felled by a bullet during a routine inv - learn more

Patrolman Richard E. Taylor 1963 1 19 Taylor Richard E Patrolman Richard E. Taylor Entered Division of Police April 16, 1953 Died In the Line of Duty January 19, 1963 Patrolman Richard E. Taylor, 38, was the 30th officer killed in the line of duty. In the early morning hours of January 18, 1963, Officer Taylor, assigned to cruiser pat - learn more

Lieutenant Allen E. Fraley Lieutenant Allen E. Fraley, 42, was one of the best-liked officers in the department. Fraley was shot at point blank range by Eugene Wylie Duling in a hallway at 84 West First Avenue where Lt. Fraley and Officer L. Bankert had gone to question Duling following a rape complaint in the early morning hours of November 5, 1964. - learn more

Patrolman Robert F. Lisska 1965 5 27 Lisska Robert F Patrolman Robert F. Lisska Entered Division of Police July 1, 1959 Died In the Line of Duty May 27, 1965 Patrolman Robert F. Lisska, 36, who entered the department July 1,1959, was the 32nd officer killed in the line of duty.  On May 27, 1965, he was on motorcycle patrol on Columbu - learn more

Officer Daniel Alfred Redding 1965 7 27 Redding Daniel Alfred Patrolman Daniel Alfred Redding Entered Division of Police April 13, 1955 Died In the Line of Duty July 27, 1965 Daniel Alfred Redding While on patrol in June of 1961, Officer Daniel Redding and his partner were called to a burglary-in-progress on the City’s West Side.  A foo - learn more

Patrolman William G. Wells 1965 12 21 Wells William G Patrolman William G. Wells Entered Division of Police April 16, 1953 Died In the Line of Duty December 21, 1965 Patrolman William G. Wells was appointed to the department April 16, 1953 and lost his life December 21, 1965. Wells was working a special duty police assignment at the - learn more

Auxiliary Officer Lawrence V. Kipfinger 1969 10 14 Kipfinger Lawrence V Auxiliary Officer Lawrence V. Kipfinger Entered Auxiliary Police 1957 Died In the Line of Duty October 14, 1969 Auxiliary Officer Lawrence V. Kipfinger, 48, a twelve-year Auxiliary member, was killed while responding to a robbery-in-progress.  On the evening of October 13, 1 - learn more

Patrolman Curtis L. Staton 1972 3 22 Staton Curtis L Patrolman Curtis L. Staton Entered Division of Police March 16, 1970 Died In the Line of Duty March 22, 1972 Patrolman Curtis L. Staton became a policeman March 16, 1970 and was killed in the line of duty March 22, 1972.  With Officer David Wilson, he was assigned to an ambulance c - learn more

Patrolman Joseph A. Edwards 1972 8 28 Edwards Joseph A Patrolman Joseph A. Edwards Entered Division of Police October 11, 1970 Died In the Line of Duty August 28, 1970 Patrolman Joseph A. Edwards, who entered the department October 11, 1970.  In the evening hours of August 28, 1972, Edwards and his partner, Officer Charles McFadden, w - learn more

Sergeant Dale W. McCann 1974 7 7 McCann Dale W Sergeant Dale W. McCann Entered Division of Police April 13, 1955 Died In the Line of Duty June 7, 1974 Sergeant Dale McCann, 47, married and the father of two children died in the line of duty on June 7, 1974.  On the morning of June 7, Sergeant McCann radioed he was chasing a speedi - learn more

Officer Roger L. Brown 1976 8 11 Brown Roger L and Smith Michael J Officer Roger L. Brown Entered Division of Police April 1, 1967 Died In the Line of Duty August 11, 1976 false Append false Append - learn more

Officer Michael J. Smith Officer Michael J. Smith Entered Division of Police August 13, 1972 Died In the Line of Duty August 11, 1976 Officer Roger L. Brown, 35, entered the department on April 1, 1967. His partner, Officer Michael J. Smith, 32, entered the department on August 13, 1972.  On the morning of August 11, 1976, whi - learn more

Officer Martin W. Yawarsky 1980 9 6 Yawarsky Martin W Officer Martin W. Yawarsky Entered Division of Police August 10, 1978 Died In the Line of Duty September 6, 1980 Officer Martin W. Yawarsky, 25, entered the department on August 10, 1978.  On September 6, 1980, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to Cleveland and - learn more

Officer Gordon J. Rich 1986 4 5 Rich Gordon J Officer Gordon J. Rich Entered Division of Police August 26, 1963 Died In the Line of Duty April 5, 1986 In the early morning hours of April 5, 1986 Officer Gordon Joe Rich, 45, died in the line of duty. Officer Rich was working a federal traffic enforcement program when he stopped a - learn more

Officer Richard Fickeisen 1987 6 1 Fickeisen Richard Patrolman Richard Fickeisen Entered Division of Police February 15, 1955 Died In the Line of Duty June 1, 1987 Patrolman Richard Fickeisen was a nineteen-year Division veteran when he was shot in the back on the morning of July 11, 1974. At approximately 7:00 a.m. that morning, O - learn more

Officer Jane E. Thompson-Bowman 1989 3 9 Thompson Bowman Jane E Officer Jane E. Thompson-Bowman Entered Division of Police April 2, 1978 Died In the Line of Duty March 9, 1989 On January 31, 1981, Officer Jane E. Thompson-Bowman was working as an undercover narcotics officer when she and other officers served a search warrant on an East - learn more

Officer Robin Nye 1991 1 4 Nye Robin Officer Robin Nye Entered Division of Police March 7, 1965 Died In the Line of Duty January 4, 1991 On January 4, 1991 at 11:28 a.m., Officer Robin Nye, a father of five and twenty-five year Division veteran, responded with his partner to a call for back-up from another officer. When Offi - learn more

Officer Raymond E. Radel 1991 4 25 Radel Raymond E Officer Raymond E. Radel Entered Division of Police October 31, 1966 Died In the Line of Duty April 25, 1991 Officer Raymond E. Radel had served 24 years with the Division when he was involved in a tragic automobile accident on April 20, 1991. On that day at 11:37 p.m., Officer R - learn more

Officer Chris E. Clites 1993 12 10 Clites Chris E Officer Chris E. Clites Entered Division of Police May 27, 1990 Died In the Line of Duty December 10, 1993 On December 10, 1993, Officer Chris Clites, 26 died in the line of duty.  In the early morning hours of that day, he responded to a call for assistance from another officer wh - learn more

Sergeant Marc Muncy 1995 4 5 Muncy Marc Sergeant Marc Muncy Entered Division of Police October 16, 1988 Died In the Line of Duty April 5, 1995 On April 5, 1995 at approximately 7:40 p.m., Officer Marc Muncy, badge #965, died in the line of duty.  Officer Muncy, age 31, was responding to a call for back-up of a fellow officer w - learn more

Officer Keith L. Evans 1995 7 9 Evans Keith L Officer Keith L. Evans Entered Division of Police March 16, 1970 Died In the Line of Duty July 9, 1995 In the late evening hours of July 3, 1995, Officer Keith L. Evans, 47, was directing traffic on West Broad Street west of I-70 following Columbus’ Fourth of July “Red, White and Boom - learn more

Lieutenant Christopher Neal Claypool 2001 4 29 Claypool Christopher Neal Lieutenant Christopher Neal Claypool Entered Division of Police June 14, 1987 Died In the Line of Duty April 29, 2001 It was the early morning hours of April 29th, 2001 when Lieutenant Christopher N. Claypool responded to the report of a property damage auto accident on R - learn more

Officer Melissa M. Foster 2004 12 4 Foster Melissa M.       Officer  Melissa M. Foster    Entered Division of Police November 19, 1997 Died In the Line of Duty December 4, 2004 On December 4, 2004 at approximately 1:00 a.m., Officer Melissa M. Foster was southbound on Gender Rd. responding with another unit on a report of a prowler - learn more

Officer Bryan S. Hurst 2005 1 6 Hurst Bryan S.       Officer Bryan S. Hurst Entered Division of Police January 6, 2005   Died In the Line of Duty November 3, 1996 On January 6, 2005 at approximately 10:35 a.m., Officer Bryan Hurst was working special duty at the 5/3rd Bank on East Broad Street when an armed robbery suspect enter - learn more

Officer Thomas R. Hayes Officer Thomas R. Hayes Entered Division of Police December 3, 1972 Died In the Line of Duty January 20, 2011   Officer Tom Hayes succumbed to complications of a gunshot wound sustained 31 years earlier while attempting to arrest two teens on a curfew violation. He had responded to a local - learn more

Officer Steven M. Smith It is with a heavy heart that the Columbus Division of Police reports the passing of our dearly beloved brother, Officer Steven M. Smith #1386. Officer Smith passed away on April 12, 2016 at 4:56 PM surrounded by his loving family. The 27-year-veteran held positions in the Patrol Bureau, Strategic Response Bureau, Helicopter Unit, Narcotics Bureau, S.W.A.T. Unit and was a member of the Dive Team. - learn more