Roll of Honor
Daniel Heavey
Incident
Guard Daniel Heavey was stabbed to death by an inmate inside of the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus.
The 31-year-old inmate was serving a life sentence for murdering his father in 1860 had threatened to kill Guard Heavey, the warden, or the deputy warden, if he didn't receive a new trial by January 18th, 1865.
He had been allowed out of his cell to move coal as part of his duties in the wing for the insane. After moving several loads he approached Guard Heavey and two inmates as they stood next to a stove. Guard Heavey asked him how he was doing and then the inmate suddenly attacked him. He stabbed him once in the chest with a shoemaker's knife, and then attacked the two other inmates. Guard Heavey chased him for about sixty yards and fired several shots at him before collapsing.
The inmate who asked to be executed was sent back to the insane ward.
Guard Heavey had served at the Ohio State Penitentiary for 34 years. He was survived by his wife and three grown sons. He served a term in the U.S. Navy during the 1820s. Captured Confederate General, John Hunt Morgan, who escaped with his officers from the prison in 1863, said he could have never done so if Guard Heavey had been in charge of the prison.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three grown sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-DFF97F02- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Daniel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Guard Heavey gave the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction 34 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Thank you 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
Daniel Heavey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Guard Daniel Heavey 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 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. Daniel Heavey's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel Heavey Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel Heavey is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel Heavey was killed by edged weapon; knife.
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.
