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Incident
Coroner Solon Boydston was killed around 7:30 p.m. when he fell into the path of a locomotive by a prisoner that he was escorting to jail in Orrville.
Coroner Boydston responded to complaints that individuals were stealing wood from a local business. The town marshal was occupied with the county fair, so he had deputized six officers to assist him, including Coroner Boydston. Under Ohio law, the office of coroner also gave him law enforcement powers. Coroner Boydston and another deputy arrested two suspects for the theft. As they were walking them to the jail, they had to cross the Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus railroad. Coroner Boydston and his suspect were waiting on an elevated platform to cross the tracks. At some point, Coroner Boydston fell off the platform onto the tracks, pulling his suspect with him. The locomotive struck both of them while on the tracks, instantly killing Boydston. The suspect survived with an amputated leg.
The suspect was re-arrested on the theft charge. The death investigation revealed that Boydston's death was accidental, and the suspect played no role in his death.
Coroner Boydston was a military veteran, having served with the 120th Ohio Volunteer Regiment during the American Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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 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.
Coroner Boydston served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wooster 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Solon Boydston served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Solon is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Solon is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Solon 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 1890, 2 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 53rd heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1890, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1890, 20 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 134th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Solon was 46. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Solon had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Solon was 46. 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. Solon had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Solon was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Solon had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 16.9%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
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.
His people
Wayne County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Solon among them.
Where
Military Service
Solon Boydston served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Solon Boydston’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
