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Incident
Patrolman Oliver Holderby was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to question a man at the Arcade Hotel at East High Street and South Fountain Avenue at 2:30 am. The suspect immediately opened fire, killing Patrolman Holderby and wounding his partner. The suspect was wounded by return gunfire and was arrested a short time later when he went to a hospital for treatment. The suspect died from his gunshot wounds. Patrolman Holderby had served with the Springfield Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Holderby gave the Springfield Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Holderby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Oliver is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oliver 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 1929, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oliver was 38. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Oliver was 38. 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. Oliver had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oliver was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Oliver among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
