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Incident
Probation Officer David Poling drowned in the Ohio River while chasing a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop initiated by the Gallipolis Police Department.
As officers chased the suspect, he jumped into the river and swam to Gallipolis Island.
Officer Poling entered the river in pursuit of the suspect but encountered difficulties approximately halfway to the island. A city police officer and a state trooper attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful.
The suspect was located on the island several hours later and taken into custody. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.
Officer Poling was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Gallipolis Police Department and previously the Gallia County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. David 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.
Probation Officer Poling served with the Gallipolis Municipal Court.
Thank you for your service to the Gallipolis 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
David Alan Poling served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1996â2000) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
David is the only officer of Gallipolis Municipal Court remembered here.
David is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
David is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 2007, 4 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2007, 94 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2007, 103 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 32. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37.
David was 32. 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.
David was 32. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 15%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Gallipolis Municipal Court.
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
David Alan Poling served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1996–2000) before joining law enforcement.
Visit David Alan Poling’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 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Gallipolis Municipal Court are honored on badge.nw.