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Incident
Captain Joseph Ruby was shot by a suspect he was trying to take to the police station as a witness in a minor incident. After a disturbance, Captain Ruby and another officer apprehended one man, and when Ruby tried to take the suspect in, he asked to change his clothes and was denied. The suspect then took a step back and, while exclaiming that he wouldn't go, drew the .38 and shot and killed Captain Ruby. The suspect fled and was shot and wounded by other officers and then was beaten by several men before he could be brought in. He was eventually convicted of murdering Captain Ruby and was executed on April 15th, 1924.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-6ZBX-A0GA-Eearlier record number BO-US-OH-D85B0A17- Stewardship
- 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.
Captain Ruby served with the Campbell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Campbell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Ruby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Campbell Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.7% of the 992 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 10 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 37. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 37. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 37. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Campbell Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.7% of all 992 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Campbell Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Campbell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
