Joseph B. Mumford
Agency patch
Special Officer

Joseph B. Mumford

East Liverpool Police Department — East Liverpool, OH
Felonious
End of Watch November 16, 1956
Age 26
Tour of Duty 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 92 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Officer Joseph Mumford was shot and killed at 3:30 am after escorting a waitress to her home at 1049 McDonald Street (modern-day area of Route 11 and Moore Street).

The woman's ex-fiance had been threatening her, prompting her to request Officer Mumford escort her to her home. Once they arrived at the residence, the woman invited Officer Mumford inside for coffee. The ex-fiance observed Officer Mumford inside through a window. He opened fire on him, striking him several times, before breaking through the door and shooting him several more times. The woman was critically wounded, shot once in the abdomen.

The 21-year-old man was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Mumford had served with the East Liverpool Police Department for six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-8623C4E9
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.
Special Officer Mumford served with the East Liverpool Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East Liverpool community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Mumford.

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

Agency

Location East Liverpool, OH
Platform Identity elpd.columbiana.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 16, 1956
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

Special Officer Joseph B. Mumford 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%.

East Liverpool Police Department
1
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. Joseph B. Mumford'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 Joseph B. Mumford Compares

Age at End of Watch
26
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph B. Mumford is highlighted in Nov.

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. Joseph B. Mumford was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

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

Incident Location