Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal John Ruch was killed in an automobile accident during a high-speed pursuit on US Route 20 in Ashtabula County. He and another patrolman were en route to a defense meeting when they attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. Their patrol car went out of control on ice and snow and struck two trees. Corporal Ruch had served with the agency for 8 years and was stationed in Geneva at the time.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-D99031AF- 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.
Corporal Ruch gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Ruch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal John E. Ruch is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 318 of 991 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 32.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Ohio State Highway Patrol, 33 of 42 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 78.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John E. Ruch's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Ruch Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Ruch is highlighted in Mar.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
