Virgil T. Bayne
Agency patch
Patrolman

Virgil T. Bayne

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch December 18, 1937
Age 43
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Badge 896
The Vigil Panel 74 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Virgil Bayne and Patrolman Gerald Bode were shot and killed while questioning five suspicious men at a gas station on Buckeye Road. As Patrolman Bayne questioned one of the men outside of the vehicle, the suspect produced a revolver and opened fire. At the same time, the four suspects inside the car began shooting at Patrolman Bode. Both officers were able to return fire but did not strike the suspects. The officers were both shot and taken to St. Luke's Hospital where they were pronounced dead. All five suspects were apprehended. One was sentenced to death and electrocuted. The rest were all convicted and eventually paroled. Patrolman Bayne had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for over 16 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother, two sisters, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Bayne gave the Cleveland Division of Police 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bayne.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1937
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Age 43
Badge Number 896
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Virgil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Virgil was 43. 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. Virgil had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, Virgil among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Virgil T. Bayne

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch December 18, 1937

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W

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