Roll of Honor
Robert Michael Tanner, Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Tanner was shot and killed after being flagged down on Dunzweiler Drive near Kearns Drive in Zanesville.
He was on patrol when he radioed dispatch that he was being flagged down and gave them a license plate number to check at 6:00 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Deputy Tanner radioed dispatch again, but when dispatch answered, he did not answer. With no response, dispatch sent a backup. He was found by a passerby with a gunshot wound next to his vehicle. His service weapon was still in its holster.
Three suspects were apprehended later in the evening during a massive search after other officers located the car with the license plate Deputy Tanner had called in. The three suspects fled the scene but were all apprehended in a wooded area. The 28-year-old shooter pled guilty to all charges and was sentenced to life without parole.
Deputy Tanner had served with the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-17C4A70B- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Tanner gave the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Zanesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Tanner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert Michael Tanner, 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 Muskingum County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 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. Robert Michael Tanner, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Michael Tanner, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Michael Tanner, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Michael Tanner, Jr. was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Muskingum County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
