Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Watchman

John Osborne

Cleveland Marshal's Office — Cleveland, OH

Felonious

End of Watch December 1, 1853

Age 31

The Vigil Panel 1 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Watchman Osborne was stabbed to death while on foot patrol with another watchman on Superior Street Hill.

An intoxicated man approached the two from behind and stabbed Watchman Osborne in the neck without being provoked. The other watchman clubbed the suspect and took him into custody. Watchman Osborne succumbed to his wounds three days later.

The man was sentenced to death by hanging in June 1854.

He was survived by his wife.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-6FC76042
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

173 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Osborne served with the Cleveland Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Cleveland Marshal's Office

Location Cleveland, OH

Platform Identity cmarshal.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 1, 1853

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Stabbed

Weapon Edged weapon

Offender Sentenced to death

Watchman John Osborne 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%.

Cleveland Marshal's Office

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. John Osborne'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 John Osborne Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to death

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Osborne is highlighted in Dec.

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. John Osborne was killed by edged weapon.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518