Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Confer was shot and killed, and another deputy was wounded in a gunfight with one of two 21-year-old men while making a traffic stop in Xenia. Deputy Confer and his partner were waiting for the armed men who had bragged about robbing a warehouse while at a gas station in Cedarville. When the vehicle ran a red light, the officers stopped the subjects at Main and Columbus Streets. The men exited their car and began shooting. Deputy Confer's partner was struck first. Deputy Confer and the subject engaged ina gunfight. The shooter was shot and seriously wounded. Both suspects were convicted of Deputy Confer's murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 25th, 1946. In 1967, the investigation of the shooting was reopened. On October 13, 1967, a judge ruled that one suspect had nothing to do with the shooting and did nothing to interfere or resist. He had him released from prison the same day. Deputy Confer had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. He is buried at Spring Valley Cemetery, Greene County, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmrfqncwcn25yx6d9ap6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Earl. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Confer gave the Greene County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Xenia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Confer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 53. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Earl was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.1% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
