Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Matron Anna Hart was killed after being struck on the head with an iron bedpost at the Hamilton County Jail. The inmate who struck her was attempting to get her keys in his attempt to escape through the women's ward of the jail. The suspect was sentenced to death and electrocuted on February 6, 1917. Matron Hart had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for six years and is thought to be the first female officer killed in the line of duty in the United States. She was survived by her three sisters and a brother. She is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Survivors
She was survived by her three sisters and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-2CECA9A8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Matron Hart gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Matron Hart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Matron Anna Hart is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 46.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anna Hart's cause is highlighted.
How Anna Hart Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anna Hart is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anna Hart was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
