Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Kerstetter was shot and killed after responding to a call at a home on 18th Street. A mother had called 911 to report that a neighbor had exposed himself to her child and kicked in a window in her home.
The suspect opened fire on officers after they located him at his residence, wounding Sergeant Kerstetter. Other officers returned fire and killed the suspect. Sergeant Kerstetter was transported to EMH Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Sergeant Kerstetter had served with the Elyria Police Department for 15 years and had previously served with the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
Sergeant Kerstetter is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-42F320F2- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Kerstetter gave the Elyria Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elyria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Kerstetter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Anthony Kerstetter served in the U.S. Army (1986â1989) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant James Anthony Kerstetter 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 97,775 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 Elyria Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Anthony Kerstetter's cause is highlighted.
How James Anthony Kerstetter Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Anthony Kerstetter is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Anthony Kerstetter was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
James Anthony Kerstetter served in the U.S. Army (1986–1989) before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Anthony Kerstetter’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Elyria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
