Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Combs was shot and killed when he stopped to investigate three men in a vehicle parked on the side of the highway two miles east of Parma. The three men inside were wanted for an earlier armed robbery. Patrolman Combs was struck by a shotgun blast as he approached the vehicle. The suspects shot and wounded a civilian riding with him before stealing his patrol car. Two suspects were arrested a short time later after they overturned the patrol car following a high-speed pursuit. The third suspect was apprehended the next day. All three suspects were charged with Patrolman Combs' murder. One died in jail while awaiting trial on February 17, 1970. The other two were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life on April 6, 1970. One was paroled on May 1, 1980, and the other suspect was paroled on February 21, 1984. Patrolman Combs was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Parma Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ID-BADA6620- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Combs gave the Parma Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Parma 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
John H. Combs served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John H. Combs 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 ID, 44 of 71 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62% of this state's fallen. That is 7.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Combs's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Combs Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1980 and 1984
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Combs is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Combs was killed by shotgun.