Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Michael Blankenship

Ohio State University Police Department — Columbus, OH

Felonious

End of Watch February 10, 1997

Age 43

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Badge 303

The Vigil Panel 143 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Police Officer Michael Blankenship was shot and killed after he and another officer responded to a suspicious person call at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Officer Blankenship had served with the Ohio State University Police Department for seven years and served in law enforcement for an additional 12 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-EC82E4C7
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 Michael. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Blankenship gave the Ohio State University Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Blankenship.

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

Agency

Department Ohio State University Police Department

Location Columbus, OH

Platform Identity osuup.franklin.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 10, 1997

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Age 43

Badge Number 303

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Committed suicide

Police Officer Michael Blankenship 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%.

Ohio State University Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Blankenship's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Michael Blankenship Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Blankenship is highlighted in Feb.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Blankenship was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518