Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal John Van Doren was shot and killed while attempting to calm an intoxicated man who was causing a disturbance at South and Locust Streets in Wilmington.
The suspect began to fight and knocked Marshal Van Doren to the ground. As the marshal attempted to get up, the suspect shot him in the head with a revolver. A second officer held the suspect there until other officers arrived and arrested him.
He was charged with murder but convicted of manslaughter.
Marshal Van Doren had served with the Wilmington Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-798D082C- 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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Marshal Van Doren gave the Wilmington Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal John T. Van Doren 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 Wilmington Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Van Doren's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Van Doren Compares
Offender Outcome
Guilty of manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Van Doren is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Van Doren was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
