Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Thomas Roach was shot and killed while making an arrest.
He and another officer had arrested two drunk men for fighting at a bar. The men offered no resistance until they arrived at the police department. One of the men produced a revolver and shot Officer Roach.
The suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Roach had served with the Newark Police Department for two years.
NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice Officer Thomas Roach, Jr. of the Newark Police Department, Newark, Ohio.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (retired) Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation November 27th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-0897F51A- 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 Thomas. 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
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Roach gave the Newark Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Thomas Roach, Jr. 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 Newark Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Thomas Roach, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Roach, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Roach, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Roach, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Newark Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
