Roll of Honor
George Washington Rockwell
Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Rockwell was shot and killed from ambush as he assisted the sheriff with serving a levy at a farm in Zane Township, approximately one to two miles south of Middleburg.
The sheriff spoke to the subject named on the levy and attempted to have him post a bond. The man refused, so the sheriff enforced the levy by seizing several horses from the man's farm. As they led the horses from the farm, the subject obtained a rifle and shot Deputy Rockwell in the back from a range of approximately 60 yards.
A doctor was summoned to the location and tended to Deputy Rockwell, who was moved into the man's home. His condition worsened, and he passed away the following night.
The man who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. He escaped from jail but was recaptured. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was pardoned by the Ohio governor in December 1891 with the condition that he move to California and not return to Ohio.
Deputy Rockwell was a Union Civil War veteran and had previously served with the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-188FE67F- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Rockwell served with the Logan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bellefontaine 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
George Washington Rockwell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff George Washington Rockwell 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Washington Rockwell's cause is highlighted.
How George Washington Rockwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1891
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Washington Rockwell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Washington Rockwell was killed by rifle.