Ernest C. Gray

Willowick Police Department — Willowick, OH

Felonious

End of Watch July 16, 1919

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Marshal Ernest Gray was shot and killed, and two men who were assisting him were severely wounded when they attempted to arrest two brothers in a stolen vehicle.

The suspects, ages 19 and 20, opened fire as the three approached them. Deputy Gray and both men were unarmed.

The two suspects were arrested by a posse after the incident. The older brother was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 12, 1919. He was paroled on August 1, 1931. His brother was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to an indeterminate term in prison. He was paroled on July 1, 1932.

Deputy Marshal Gray was survived by his wife and four children.

Survivors

Deputy Marshal Gray was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Deputy Marshal Gray served with the Willoughby Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Willoughby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Marshal Gray.

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

Agency

Department Willowick Police Department

Location Willowick, OH

Platform Identity willpd.lake.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 16, 1919

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Paroled in 1931

Deputy Marshal Ernest C. Gray 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 Willowick Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Willowick Police Department

of 4 officers

25% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious