Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Harry Wolfe was killed while responding to a burglary in progress. Sheriff Wolfe was shot while answering a burglar alarm at 14223 Robinson Road near Plain City. The dispatcher on duty heard Sheriff Wolfe tell the suspect to come over and then heard the gunshots through the automated alarm system between the house and the sheriff's office. A 32-year-old suspect was identified through evidence at the scene. The man was later found to be in prison on Riker's Island in New York for trying to steal a car. He was arrested under an alias and sat in Riker's Island for most of the summer without anyone learning his true identity. A later check of his fingerprints proved him to be wanted for the murder of Sheriff Wolfe. He was extradited to Ohio in December 1982 and entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He changed his plea to guilty the following summer and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison in February 2020. Sheriff Wolfe was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Union County Sheriff's Office for 29 years, elected sheriff in 1974.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-635A4E43- 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.
Sheriff Wolfe gave the Union County Sheriff's Office 29 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marysville 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
Harry L. Wolfe served in the Army (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Harry L. Wolfe 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 Union County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry L. Wolfe's cause is highlighted.
How Harry L. Wolfe Compares
Offender Outcome
Life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry L. Wolfe is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry L. Wolfe was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
