Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal John Sellers succumbed to gunshot wounds he received on June 3, 1897, at the Shelby Junction in Shelby at 3:30 p.m.
Around 3:00 p.m. Deputy Sellers asked a group of vagrants to move from the train depot area. When one of the men would not leave and threatened Deputy Sellers with his pistol, Deputy Sellers left the area to retrieve a gun. Deputy Sellers returned with a weapon, but the man still refused to go and a scuffle ensued. While attempting to gain access to the subject's gun, it fired, striking Deputy Sellers in the abdomen.
Deputy Sellers was taken to his home where he died from his wounds the next day.
The suspect was apprehended and transported to the county jail. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. He was released after serving 12 years and 8 months, but was in and out of prison throughout the years for various other crimes.
Deputy Marshal was a United States Civil War Union veteran who had served as a deputy marshal for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-726B5413- 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.
Deputy Marshal Sellers gave the Shelby Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Shelby community. Thank you 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
John Elliot Sellers served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Marshal John Elliot Sellers 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 Shelby Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Elliot Sellers's cause is highlighted.
How John Elliot Sellers Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Elliot Sellers is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Elliot Sellers was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Shelby Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
