Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

James R. Wert

Ravenna Police Department — Ravenna, OH

Felonious Veteran →

End of Watch January 31, 1981

Age 25

The Vigil Panel 124 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman James Wert was struck and killed by a drunk driver while making an arrest of a second drunk driver at 1:33 am on State Route 88. Patrolman Wert's partner was also struck and injured. The suspect who struck the officers fled the scene but was arrested at his home a short time later. The 17-year-old driver was charged with drunk driving, hit-and-run, and involuntary manslaughter. Patrolman Wert had previously served as a United States Army Military Policeman before joining the Ravenna Police Department. He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and two brothers. One of his brothers later joined the Ravenna Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and two brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-40875017
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.
Patrolman Wert served with the Ravenna Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ravenna community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Ravenna Police Department

Location Ravenna, OH

Platform Identity rpd.portage.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 31, 1981

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Charged

Military Service

James R. Wert served in the Army (1976â1979) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman James R. Wert 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%.

Ravenna Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James R. Wert's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James R. Wert Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Charged

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James R. Wert is highlighted in Jan.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James R. Wert was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518