Guy Norris

Akron Police Department — Akron, OH

Felonious

End of Watch December 24, 1917

Age 28

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

Badge 51

The Vigil Panel 33 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 27

Incident

Patrolman Guy Norris was the first of four Akron Policemen to be shot and killed by members of an Italian gang in retaliation for the Akron Police Department's crackdown on their gambling dens and brothels. His body was found on South High Street, between Thornton and Voris Streets. He had been shot in the back several times. The gang was responsible for the deaths of Patrolman Edward J. Costigan and Patrolman Joseph H. Hunt, both shot and killed January 10, 1918, and Patrolman Gothin H. Richards, shot and killed March 12, 1918. The Akron Police Department was baffled by the murders, not realizing the gang's involvement until an anonymous phone caller implicated one of the gang members, who was arrested in New York. The suspect implicated five other gang members who were arrested and charged with murder. Four of the suspects were executed in Ohio's electric chair: one on October 4, 1918, two on February 19, 1919, and one on July 24, 1919. The other two suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was released in 1934 and deported to Italy. The other suspect was denied parole in 1964. Patrolman Norris had served with the Akron Police Department for 2-1/2 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-DCC5B6EA
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.
Patrolman Norris gave the Akron Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Norris.

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

Agency

Department Akron Police Department

Location Akron, OH

Platform Identity apd.summit.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 24, 1917

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

Age 28

Badge Number 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Four executed

Patrolman Guy Norris 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.

Akron Police Department

of 28 officers

57.1% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious