Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Stephen Ondas was shot and killed by the 19-year-old driver of a car he and his partner stopped for not having any headlights. The suspect had a traffic warrant, resisted arrest, and fled. The officers pursued the suspect, and a struggle ensued near the police cruiser, where the suspect grabbed Officer Ondas' firearm, shot Officer Ondas in the chest, and then shot his partner. His partner recovered after a short stay in the hospital. The suspect surrendered to police several hours later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on February 20, 1973. He will be eligible for parole on March 1, 2023. Officer Ondas had served with the Akron Police Department for only six months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter, born a few weeks after his death.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-ADCFB962- 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.
Officer Ondas served with the Akron Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Ondas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Stephen J. Ondas 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 Akron Police Department, 16 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Stephen J. Ondas's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen J. Ondas Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen J. Ondas is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen J. Ondas was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Akron Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
