Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Francis was accidentally shot and killed while searching for armed robbery suspects at 81 Independence Avenue (modern-day Matthews Drive) in Lincoln Heights. When Deputy Francis and other officers were searching for an armed suspect he went to remove his shotgun from the trunk of the patrol car when it discharged. The blast struck him in the abdomen, killing him instantly. Deputy Francis had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for three months and previously served with the Cincinnati Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Francis gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Francis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 14 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 8 officers in OH were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 48. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Walter had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 48. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 7.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Mondays: 16.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 28.6% of all 14 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Albert Russell Oct 14, 1884
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Anna Hart Jul 24, 1916
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Daniel E. Souders
Dec 16, 1932
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Walter Leslie Francis
May 20, 1935
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Fred Sperber
Dec 31, 1942
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Elmore David Pressley Oct 21, 1944
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Emil R. Kleinwaechter
Jul 16, 1962
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Phillip J. Pence
Jun 10, 1984
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Robert L. Mondary
Jun 1, 1989
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Adam S. McMillan
Oct 23, 2020
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Donald Raymond Gilreath, III
Feb 12, 2021
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Marcus Zeigler
May 26, 2023
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Larry Henderson, Jr.
May 2, 2025
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Simon Lawrence Leis Jr.
Jun 27, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.









