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Incident
Guard Urban Wilford was shot and killed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield during an escape attempt.
A former prisoner, who was out on parole, returned to the prison and shot Guard Wilford at the West Gate in an attempt to break out a friend.
The suspect was arrested two months later. He was convicted of Guard Wilford's murder and executed in the electric chair in 1927.
Guard Wilford had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and had previously served as a police officer in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, from 1876 until 1883 when he immigrated to the United States.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Guard Wilford gave the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Wilford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has lost 26 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Urban is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Urban is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Urban is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 1 officer at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1948, with 2.
In 1926, 15 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Urban was 72. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 61.5; the middle age was 44.5. Urban had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Urban was 72. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Urban had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Urban was 72. 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. Urban had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Urban was 72. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Urban had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction; April holds the most, 22.2%. Wednesdays: 22.2%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 26 deaths at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has 26 officers remembered here, Urban among them.
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Cyrus Sells
Jun 9, 1841
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James Fancher Jul 14, 1849
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Daniel Heavey Jan 19, 1865
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Charles B. Lauderbaugh
Nov 18, 1898
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Henry J. Gearhart May 29, 1904
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William H. Moorehead Dec 23, 1905
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Urban Wilford Nov 3, 1926
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Grant Weakley
Sep 2, 1927
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Frank B. Hanger
Oct 6, 1932
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Alfred E. Schmidt Sep 2, 1940
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Walter W. Zimmer
Apr 19, 1948
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Samuel P. Chesshir Apr 22, 1948
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Arthur L Sprouse Jul 24, 1973
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Gary P. Underwood
Jul 24, 1973
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Robert A. White
Apr 27, 1979
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Eric D Bowling Feb 2, 1984
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Beverly Jo Taylor
Jun 7, 1990
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Thomas D. Davis, Jr.
Jun 26, 1992
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Robert B. Vallandingham
Apr 14, 1993
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Dennis Lee Stemen
Jul 5, 1994
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Bonita Haynes
Aug 6, 1996
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Shirlene A. Jenkins
Feb 11, 1997
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Wayne Mitchell
Feb 2, 2001
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Michael Wilson Douds
Apr 5, 2003
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Rodney Osborne
Apr 9, 2024
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Andrew Lansing
Dec 25, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
