Jerry R. Neff
Agency patch
Patrolman

Jerry R. Neff

Ohio State Highway Patrol — Columbus, OH
Felonious
End of Watch January 30, 1974
Age 27
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 932
The Vigil Panel 113 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Jerry Neff was killed when a suspect driving a stolen vehicle recklessly drove off of a highway overpass and crashed into Patrolman Neff's patrol car below. The suspect's car landed on top of the patrol car at the junction of I-71 and US Route 62 at 9:15 a.m. The 19-year-old driver was charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving. His 20-year-old passenger was charged with vehicular homicide and motor vehicle theft. Patrolman Neff had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for three years and was assigned to the Circleville Post at the time of the incident.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, and father.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-69D65EE3
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Neff gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Neff.

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

Agency

Location Columbus, OH
Platform Identity oshp.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 30, 1974
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 932
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile
Offender Charged with vehicular homicide

Patrolman Jerry R. Neff 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.

Ohio State Highway Patrol
8
of 42 officers
19% 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. Jerry R. Neff'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 Jerry R. Neff Compares

Age at End of Watch
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Charged with vehicular homicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry R. Neff 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. Jerry R. Neff was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location