Roll of Honor
John C. Wagner
Incident
Deputy Game Warden John Wagner was shot and killed on a farm on Egbert Road near Bedford, Ohio.
He had encountered a man and nephew hunting squirrels on the farm and attempted to inspect the uncle's shotgun. A struggle ensued during which Warden Wagner was fatally shot. His body was found in a wooded area by mushroom foragers two days later.
The uncle had also been wounded and made a false report before Warden Wagner's body had been found that he had been shot on the same farm while squirrel hunting. The uncle was charged with manslaughter.
NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice Deputy Game Warden John C. Wagner of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, Ohio and additional 82 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 September 30th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-2C895783- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Game Warden Wagner served with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Game Warden John C. Wagner 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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Wagner's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Wagner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Wagner is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Wagner was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
