Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman George Conn was shot and killed near Freeport when he stopped to investigate four men and a woman in a parked car beside the highway. A massive search was started when Patrolman Conn failed to answer his radio calls. A few hours later, a Harrison County farmer found his patrol car. The next day Patrolman Conn's body was found in a ditch four miles from where his patrol car was located. He had been shot four times. Four men were arrested in January 1938 and charged with Patrolman Conn's murder. One of the suspects was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 10, 1938. He was paroled in May of 1963. Another suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced from 1 to 20 years on January 19, 1939. The other two suspects were acquitted. Patrolman Conn was the first member of the Ohio State Patrol to be shot to death.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-22C6B159- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Conn gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Conn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman George A. Conn 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 State Highway Patrol, 8 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 19% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George A. Conn's cause is highlighted.
How George A. Conn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George A. Conn is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George A. Conn was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
