Edward A. Obriest

Toledo Police Dept. — Toledo, OH

Felonious

End of Watch May 19, 1931

Age 27

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 62 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 31

Incident

Patrolman Edward Obriest was shot and killed by an unknown suspect while working an undercover assignment at the 300 block of Illinois Street. Patrolman Obriest was working as a decoy for the vice squad on May 16, 1931. The squad was focusing on the 300 block of Illinois Street near Division Street after they had received several complaints of prostitution, gambling, and other vice activity. Patrolman Obriest came upon a male with a jug of whiskey. He confronted the man, pulling up his sweater to identify himself as a police officer. A scuffle ensued, catching the attention of the man's 19-year-old stepson, who ran off to get a weapon and then returned and shot Patrolman Obriest, who died from his wounds three days later. Patrolman Obriest served with the Toledo Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-B136CFB3
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.
Patrolman Obriest gave the Toledo Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Obriest.

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

Agency

Department Toledo Police Dept.

Location Toledo, OH

Platform Identity tpd.lucas.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 19, 1931

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Patrolman Edward A. Obriest 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 Toledo Police Dept., 25 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.1% of this agency's fallen.

Toledo Police Dept.

of 32 officers

78.1% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious