Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Harold Roth and Patrolman Elbert Crout were shot and mortally wounded by a man whom they surprised operating a liquor still in a gravel pit. As the officers were attempting to take the suspect into custody he grabbed Patrolman Crout's service revolver and shot both of them. The suspect was captured a short time later along with his father and another man who were with him at the time of the shooting. Both officers died from their wounds hours later. The suspect was transported to a jail in a neighboring county because of fear that he would be lynched. The next day officers were on there way back with the suspect when he suddenly jumped from the vehicle and ran. He was shot three times after he ignored orders to halt. The next day the suspect was shot and killed by a police officer in his hospital room when he tried to take the officer's service revolver away from him. Patrolman Roth had served with the Middletown Police Department for 67 days.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-D53122A8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harold. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Roth served with the Middletown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Middletown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Harold Roth 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 Middletown Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harold Roth's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Roth Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Roth is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Roth was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Middletown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
