Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Keith Evans died from injuries sustained on July 3rd while directing traffic for the 4th of July celebrations at West Broad Street west of I-70. A drunk motorist that Officer Evans had stopped at an intersection became irate and tried to drive through. Officer Evans attempted to stop him by reaching into the car to turn off the ignition. The motorist dragged Officer Evans several feet before falling off the vehicle and hitting his head on the pavement. The 41-year-old suspect was arrested a short time later. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 to 10 years but released after he served six months of jail time for Officer Evans' death. Officer Evans was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 25 years. He was due to retire in less than a year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-65C4B7FE- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Evans gave the Columbus Division of Police 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Keith Lee Evans served in the Navy (1966â1968) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Keith Lee Evans 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 Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Keith Lee Evans's cause is highlighted.
How Keith Lee Evans Compares
Offender Outcome
Served six months
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Keith Lee Evans is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Keith Lee Evans was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
