Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Arthur Sponsel was shot and killed when he interrupted three men burglarizing a restaurant on the 500 block of North Third Street.
All three suspects were arrested and charged with his murder. The shooter was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair. The other two were sentenced to life.
Patrolman Sponsel was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served with the Hamilton Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-02AA9D3C- 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.
Patrolman Sponsel gave the Hamilton Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hamilton community. Thank you 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
Arthur E. Sponsel served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Arthur E. Sponsel 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 Hamilton Police Department, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur E. Sponsel's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur E. Sponsel Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur E. Sponsel is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur E. Sponsel was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Hamilton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
