Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Keller was struck and killed by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on I-76 in Portage County. At 9:00 p.m., Patrolman Keller stopped a driver a mile west of the Ravenna exit (current day Prospect Street) when a vehicle traveling east hit the car, knocking Patrolman Keller into the roadway. The driver fled the scene. The driver was apprehended but died before standing trial. Patrolman Keller was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 10 months, assigned to the Ravenna Post.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, child, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-4869C7D2- 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 Keller served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio, and 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
William J. Keller served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman William J. Keller 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 State Highway Patrol, 8 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 19% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Keller's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Keller Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Keller is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Keller was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
