Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Utlak was shot and killed by two juvenile suspects during an undercover narcotics investigation. Patrolman Utlak was meeting with the two suspects when he was shot three times with a .22 caliber handgun. His body was found the following day in a parking lot on Hunter Street. Patrolman Utlak and his partner had met the suspects on two prior occasions and were using them as informants in a case. Patrolman Utlak was meeting with the suspects alone because his partner had the day off. The two suspects were apprehended several days later in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The suspects were returned to Ohio. The 18-year-old suspect who shot him was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison with eligibility for parole. He was denied parole in October 2012. He was again denied parole in August 2022. His next parole hearing is on 10/1/2026. The accomplice was denied parole on September 2022, and his next parole hearing is on 7/1/2026. Patrolman Utlak had served with the Niles Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two sisters, and step-parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-26A6164D- 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.
Patrolman Utlak gave the Niles Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Niles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Utlak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John A. Utlak 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. John A. Utlak's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Utlak Compares
Offender Outcome
undercover
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Utlak is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Utlak was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.