Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal John Dean was shot and mortally wounded and Deputy Marshal Forrest Sparrow was shot and killed as they attempted to search a home for illegal liquor. The home owner opened fire with a shotgun as the officers forced their way into his home after he refused to open the door. Marshal Dean was taken to a hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he died five days later.
The suspect said he thought the officers were robbers. He was convicted of two counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in the Ohio Penitentiary.
NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Marshal John Albert Dean of the New Athens Police Department, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired) Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation May 15th, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OH-EEEB48C2- Stewardship
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- 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.
Marshal Dean served with the New Athens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Dean.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal John Albert Dean 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 New Athens Police Department, 2 of 2 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. John Albert Dean's cause is highlighted.
How John Albert Dean Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Albert Dean is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Albert Dean was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
