Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Shipp was shot and killed while he and his partner were investigating a burglary call at 23 Charles Street. As he passed under a pantry window, the suspect leaned out and shot him three times. The suspect fled the scene but was pursued by Patrolman Shipp's partner. The suspect was apprehended in Indianapolis, Indiana, convicted of Patrolman Shipp's murder, and executed on June 21, 1901. Patrolman Shipp had been with the Cleveland Division of Police for seven years. He was survived by his wife and two children from a previous marriage. Detective Benjamin Tobias Thornton of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana, succumbed to pneumonia he received while participating in the stakeout and arrest of Patrolman Shipp's murderer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children from a previous marriage.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-E8644E32- 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 Shipp gave the Cleveland Division of Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Shipp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Shipp 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 Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Shipp's cause is highlighted.
How John Shipp Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1901
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Shipp is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Shipp was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
