Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Urban Wilford was shot and killed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield during an escape attempt.
A former prisoner, who was out on parole, returned to the prison and shot Guard Wilford at the West Gate in an attempt to break out a friend.
The suspect was arrested two months later. He was convicted of Guard Wilford's murder and executed in the electric chair in 1927.
Guard Wilford had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and had previously served as a police officer in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, from 1876 until 1883 when he immigrated to the United States.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-3C7BE2A0- 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.
Guard Wilford gave the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Wilford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Urban Wilford 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 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, 18 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Urban Wilford's cause is highlighted.
How Urban Wilford Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1927
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Urban Wilford is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Urban Wilford was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
