William C. Horn
Agency patch
Patrolman

William C. Horn

Dayton Police Department — Dayton, OH
Felonious
End of Watch September 18, 1927
Age 37
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Badge 42
The Vigil Panel 54 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Horn was shot and killed after stopping a man carrying a concealed weapon at the intersection of Warren Street and Hollencamp Street (modern-day Washington Street and South Patterson Boulevard). Patrolman Horn disarmed the suspect, but a struggle ensued, and the man regained control of the gun, fired five times, and killed Patrolman Horn. The suspect was later shot and apprehended. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He was awarded a new trial and subsequently acquitted on March 23rd, 1929. Patrolman Horn had served with the Dayton Police Department for 12 years.

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.
Patrolman Horn gave the Dayton Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Horn.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Dayton, Montgomery County, OH
Platform Identity dpd.montgomery.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 18, 1927
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 37
Badge Number 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 37. 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. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Dayton Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, William among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman William C. Horn

Dayton Police Department · End of Watch September 18, 1927

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W

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