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Incident
Patrol Officer Erwin Tate was shot and killed at the southwest corner of the intersection of Second Street and Main Street while attempting to arrest a man wanted for assaulting his wife. The suspect was later shot and killed in a shootout with other officers. Officer Tate had served with the Zanesville Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, parents, and brother.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Tate gave the Zanesville Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Zanesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Tate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Zanesville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Erwin is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Erwin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Erwin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Erwin was 41. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Erwin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Erwin was 41. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Erwin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Erwin was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Erwin had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Zanesville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Zanesville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Erwin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Zanesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
