Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Herman Drexler was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a reported burglary at a hardware store at 2512 West Third Street. As Patrolman Drexler exited the patrol car, he was shot in the chest, and his partner was shot in the leg. The suspect stood over his partner and attempted to shoot him again, but the pistol misfired. His partner wrestled the man to the ground and took him into custody. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Drexler had served with the Dayton Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-890AED51- 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.
Patrolman Drexler gave the Dayton Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Drexler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Herman A. Drexler 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 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. Herman A. Drexler's cause is highlighted.
How Herman A. Drexler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman A. Drexler is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman A. Drexler was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
