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Patrolman

David L. Cole

Cincinnati Police Department — Cincinnati, OH

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch July 17, 1974

Age 24

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Badge P160

The Vigil Panel 250 · Column 1 · Line 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 105

Incident

Patrolman David Cole was shot and killed after responding to an alarm call at United Dairy Farmers at 2373 Florence Avenue. When he arrived on the scene, he observed two men walking nearby. As he approached them, they opened fire, wounding him twice. One of the suspects then took Patrolman Cole's revolver and shot him again. Patrolman Cole was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Both suspects, both 23, were sentenced to death but had the sentences commuted to life. One of the men was paroled in 1991 and moved to California. The other suspect has been denied parole four times, and the next hearing is on March 1, 2027. Patrolman Cole was an Ohio National Guard veteran and had served with the Cincinnati Police Department for five years. His father was also a Cincinnati Police Officer. He was survived by his wife, parents, and four siblings. In September 2021, a street near Florence and Gilbert Avenues in Walnut Hills was named after Patrolman David Cole. In 2023, a portion of Interstate 71 was dedicated as “Patrolman David L. Cole Memorial Highway.” He is buried in Saint Peter Cemetery, New Richmond, Ohio.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and four siblings.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Cole gave the Cincinnati Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cincinnati Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH

Platform Identity cincpd.hamilton.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 17, 1974

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 24

Badge Number P160

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

David L. Cole served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

David was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded