Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ralph Henderson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained ten days earlier after ordering a man off of a portion of a city street. On Sunday, June 23, 1912, Patrolman Henderson responded to a call of a drunken individual causing a disturbance. The suspect suddenly produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Henderson in the neck. Patrolman Henderson died after contracting pneumonia and blood poisoning while recovering from the wound in the hospital. The suspect was arrested at his home by Chief Leiner an hour after the shooting. The suspect had already served three terms in the Ohio Penitentiary for assault with intent to kill, stabbing, and arson. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on August 30, 1919, of heart disease. He was an expert carpenter who built the electric chair at the Ohio Penitentiary.
Survivors
Patrolman Henderson was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-E571AD08- 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 Henderson served with the Wooster Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wooster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Henderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ralph W. Henderson 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 Wooster Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph W. Henderson's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph W. Henderson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph W. Henderson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph W. Henderson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wooster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
