Roll of Honor
Ralph Hiram Castner Sr.
Incident
Patrolman Zibe Castner succumbed to gunshot wounds received during a pursuit for wanted subjects at the intersection of South Prospect Street and Clough Street in Bowling Green. Patrolman Castner and the Bowling Green Police Chief were involved in a shootout with Pretty Boy Floyd’s gang. The suspects were attempting to get away in their vehicle when Patrolman Castner and the Police Chief gave chase. The Chief stood on the patrol car's running board, with Patrolman Castner driving. During the pursuit, the gun battle continued, and Patrolman Castner was shot. He died from his wounds one week later. One of the suspects was also shot and killed in the shootout. Another suspect escaped. Patrolman Castner was an Ohio National Guard veteran and had served with the Bowling Green Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and father. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bowling Green, Wood County, Ohio. Please click here to view additional officers killed by "Pretty Boy" Floyd and his gang.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-A222E614- 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 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.
Patrolman Castner gave the Bowling Green Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bowling Green 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
Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. 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 97,759 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 Bowling Green Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph Hiram Castner Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ralph Hiram Castner Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ralph Hiram Castner Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bowling Green Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
