John C. Wagner

Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife — Columbus, OH

Felonious

End of Watch September 30, 1916

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 31 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Deputy Game Warden John Wagner was shot and killed on a farm on Egbert Road near Bedford, Ohio.

He had encountered a man and nephew hunting squirrels on the farm and attempted to inspect the uncle's shotgun. A struggle ensued during which Warden Wagner was fatally shot. His body was found in a wooded area by mushroom foragers two days later.

The uncle had also been wounded and made a false report before Warden Wagner's body had been found that he had been shot on the same farm while squirrel hunting. The uncle was charged with manslaughter.

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice Deputy Game Warden John C. Wagner of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, Ohio and additional 82 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired) Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation September 30th, 2025

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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 Game Warden Wagner served with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Wagner.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife

Location Columbus, OH

Platform Identity odnrdwcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 30, 1916

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Charged with manslaughter

Deputy Game Warden John C. Wagner 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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife

of 9 officers

44.4% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious