Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Cyrus Sells was killed by an inmate who attacked him with an ax at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus. The inmate had served seven years of a 15-year sentence for highway robbery.
He was convicted of Guard Sells' murder and hanged February 9th, 1844.
Guard Sells is buried in Section R of Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.
NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Guard Cyrus Sells of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired) Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation June 9th, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OH-249968AA- 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
185 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Guard Sells served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Cyrus Sells is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, 18 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cyrus Sells's cause is highlighted.
How Cyrus Sells Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cyrus Sells is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cyrus Sells was killed by edged weapon; axe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
