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Incident
Patrolman Lazear was shot and killed by a homeowner who mistook him for a robbery suspect at 3 Pike Street. The man had been robbed at his home by two suspects and called police. When Patrolman Lazear responded to the scene he began to open the home's door but was shot by the homeowner. Patrolman Lazear served with the Wheeling Police Department for two years and was recently engaged to be married
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Lazear gave the Wheeling Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wheeling community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lazear.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wheeling Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 1 officer at Wheeling Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 24. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Wheeling Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 39; the middle age was 39. Ray had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Ray was 24. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Ray had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Ray was 24. 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. Ray had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Wheeling Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 40%.
January holds 5.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Mondays: 16%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Wheeling Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wheeling Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Wheeling Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
