Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective George Purcell was shot and killed while attempting to arrest question a suspect for carrying a concealed weapon at 755 South Euclid Avenue at 8:30 p.m. He was shot three times by a suspect who was later arrested after a massive manhunt. It was later discovered the wrong man was apprehended. The suspect was identified but never captured. Detective Purcell had served with the Dayton Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-0BCBE1E2- 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.
Detective Purcell gave the Dayton Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Purcell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective George V. Purcell 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 Dayton Police Department, 18 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George V. Purcell's cause is highlighted.
How George V. Purcell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George V. Purcell is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George V. Purcell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
