Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Sanford Stanley was shot and killed at the Coshocton Police Department by a man he had given a warning during a traffic stop. It was never determined what prompted the suspect to seek out Patrolman Stanley and start firing. Earlier in the evening, Patrolman Stanley had seen the suspect hit a bridge abutment and let him go with a warning. After the warning, the suspect went to his house, grabbed three guns, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 Magnum revolver, and a .22-250 rifle, filled a bag with extra ammunition, and went looking for Patrolman Stanley. Patrolman Stanley had returned to the police station and was standing in a back room when the suspect walked through an unlocked side door, strolled up to the officer, and shot him with the shotgun at 9:12 pm. Patrolman Stanley made his way through the station to the front, but the suspect chased him and shot him again with the revolver. He was transported to Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds less than an hour later. The 31-year-old suspect was convicted of Patrolman Stanley's murder and sentenced to death, but his death sentence was commuted to life. He was denied parole for the fourth time in 2016. He will be eligible for parole again on December 1, 2030. Patrolman Stanley was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Coshocton Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-DFF61623- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sanford. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Patrolman Stanley gave the Coshocton Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Coshocton 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
Sanford Stanley, Jr. served in the Other (1951â1953) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Sanford Stanley, Jr. 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. Sanford Stanley, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Sanford Stanley, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Eligible for parole in 2030
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sanford Stanley, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sanford Stanley, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.