Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Frank Ward was beaten to death after responding to a domestic disturbance call. He was attempting to prevent the male subject from beating his wife when the man fatally struck him with a piece of firewood. The subject was convicted of Officer Ward's murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2013 and is still in custody.
Survivors
Officer Ward is survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-B6C2DA99- 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 Officer Ward served with the John Day Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the John Day community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Frank L. Ward 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank L. Ward's cause is highlighted.
How Frank L. Ward Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank L. Ward is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank L. Ward was killed by blunt object; firewood.