Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman John Brasher was shot and killed on May 6th, 1849, while pursuing a suspect who had broken into the Good Samaritan Drug Store at Central Avenue and Court Street the previous day. A warrant had been issued for the suspect and he was tracked to Madam Davis' house at 15th and Elm Streets. Police surrounded the house and demanded the suspect surrender. The man ran out of the rear door and shot Watchman Brasher during a foot chase.
Survivors
Watchman Brasher was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-2B017E6B- 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
177 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Brasher served with the Cincinnati Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman John Brasher 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 Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Brasher's cause is highlighted.
How John Brasher Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Brasher is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Brasher was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
