Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal Ralph Zahnle was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop two vehicles suspected of transporting liquor through town. They had spotted the vehicles on Sylvania Avenue and drove ahead to the intersection of Sylvania Avenue and Jackman Road. As the first vehicle passed their location, they attempted to pull out. The second vehicle purposely rammed their car, and the occupants immediately opened fire with rifles. The suspects fired over 20 rounds into the vehicle, fatally wounding Deputy Marshal Zahnle. His partner escaped injury by taking cover on the car's floorboard. The suspects then fled on foot. Four suspects were eventually apprehended. One was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 19 years and 11 months in prison on April 15, 1930. He arrived at the State Penitentiary in Columbia on April 20. The next day, he was one of 322 inmates who died in a fire at the penitentiary. This was the worst fire in Ohio's history and in American prison history. He was one of five cop killers who died in the fire. Deputy Marshal Zahnle was a U.S. Army WWI veteran and had served with the Harbor View Police Department for only three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-CA8121BA- 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 Zahnle served with the Harbor View Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Harbor View community, and 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
Ralph J. Zahnle served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Marshal Ralph J. Zahnle 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph J. Zahnle's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph J. Zahnle Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison fire.
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph J. Zahnle is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph J. Zahnle was killed by rifle.