Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Neal Fowler was shot and killed around 3:00 am as the result of a running gun battle between Fowler and a 19-year-old robbery suspect. The suspect had robbed the Freeman Billings gas station and garage on McPherson Highway in Clyde, taking 5 gallons of gasoline for the stolen vehicle he was driving and 73 cents from the attendant. Officer Fowler responded to the garage and was interviewing the clerk when the suspect drove by the station, and Fowler gave chase. The suspect's vehicle and Fowler's patrol vehicle were traveling side-by-side eastbound on U.S. Route 20 (McPherson Highway) as shots were fired between the vehicles. A witness told officers that Fowler’s police cruiser slid off the side of the road, and he discovered the officer had been shot. The Sandusky County Coroner reported that Fowler had been shot with a 16 gauge shotgun and was killed instantly. The suspect continued eastbound and was stopped by a Bellevue Police Officer whom the suspect also attempted to shoot, but his weapon malfunctioned. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in the Ohio Penitentiary. Governor James A. Rhodes later commuted his conviction to second-degree murder. He was paroled on October 7, 1965.
Survivors
Marshal Fowler was survived by four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OH-DAEE50BE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Marshal Fowler served with the Clyde Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clyde community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Fowler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal Neal D. Fowler is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Neal D. Fowler's cause is highlighted.
How Neal D. Fowler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Neal D. Fowler is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Neal D. Fowler was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Clyde Police Department are honored on badge.nw.