Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Granison Koehler was shot and killed in a gun battle with four men whom the officers had pulled over in a stolen car on North High and Goodale Streets. At 5:00 a.m., Patrolman Koehler called from the police box that he and his partner stopped the driver of a stolen vehicle, confiscated two guns, and arrested the four suspects. When he returned to the car, one of the men shot Patrolman Koehler three times and shot his partner once in the jaw. Both officers returned fire, but when the patrol wagon arrived, the suspects had fled. Less than 24 hours later, police found one suspect dead from a gunshot wound in the stolen car, and they apprehended two others. The fourth suspect was arrested in Cleveland the next day. The suspect who killed Patrolman Koehler was convicted of his murder and was executed in the electric chair on April 13, 1923. The other two were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Governor Frank Lausche pardoned one on January 26, 1955. The other suspect was allowed to work outside the prison on August 30, 1952. He never returned. At the time of the other suspect's pardon, he had not been recaptured. Patrolman Koehler had served with the Columbus Division of Police for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-FA8F0977- 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 Koehler gave the Columbus Division of Police 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Koehler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Granison P. Koehler 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 Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Granison P. Koehler's cause is highlighted.
How Granison P. Koehler Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1923
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Granison P. Koehler is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Granison P. Koehler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
