Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Saxton succumbed to a gunshot wound received three years earlier while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. He and two other officers had gone into a restaurant after receiving a tip on the suspect's whereabouts. When they began to search him he jumped up and opened fire with a .25 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Saxton in the groin. Patrolman Saxton never fully recovered from the wound, developed blood poison, and died three years later. The man was convicted of shooting with intent to kill and carrying a concealed handgun. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison a few weeks after he shot Patrolman Saxton. He was not charged when Patrolman Saxton died.
Survivors
Patrolman Saxton had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, three sons, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-C3DD9C7E- 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 Saxton gave the Cleveland Division of Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Saxton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John F. Saxton 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 Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Saxton's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Saxton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Saxton is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Saxton was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
