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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joshua Hamilton died in a vehicle crash on Ohio State Route 503 at 4:00 a.m.
Deputy Hamilton, traveling southbound, and a vehicle traveling northbound collided head-on. He was transported to the Kettering Preble ER Campus, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the other car was also killed.
Deputy Hamilton was a United States Navy Reserve and Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Preble County Sheriff's Office for over 1 1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Joshua is one person.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Hamilton gave the Preble County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Eaton community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joshua Hamilton served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Joshua is the only officer of Preble County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joshua is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 2 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 53rd heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2023, 43 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 106th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2023, 46 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 110th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joshua was 34. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joshua had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joshua was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joshua had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joshua was 34. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joshua had served 1.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Mondays: 16.6%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Preble County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Joshua Hamilton served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joshua Hamilton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Preble County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.