Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joe Biggs was killed when he was intentionally crushed between a car and a tractor-trailer during a vehicle pursuit. Officers had attempted to stop a vehicle used in a robbery in Avon Lake. When the vehicle slowed down, Patrolman Biggs jumped on the running board and attempted to reach inside to turn off the car on West State Street west of Arch Street. The driver sped up, crossed the center line, and sideswiped a tractor-trailer. The passenger of the vehicle was apprehended a short time later and shot and killed when he attempted to escape police custody. The 20-year-old driver was arrested in Florida and sentenced to life in prison. He was released on January 14, 1972. Patrolman Biggs was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and had served with the Fremont Police Department for only 3 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, six sisters, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-5C1FE15B- 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 Biggs served with the Fremont Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fremont 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George Joseph Biggs served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman George Joseph Biggs 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 Joseph Biggs's cause is highlighted.
How George Joseph Biggs Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1972
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Joseph Biggs is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Joseph Biggs was killed by automobile.