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Incident
Patrolman Emery McCreight was shot and killed when he and his partner discovered two men attempting to break into the Murphy-Benham Hardware Store at 66 N. South Street around midnight. The suspect who police believed shot Patrolman McCreight was arrested and charged with his murder. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. During his trial and afterward, the suspect pleaded that he was innocent. In late December of 1922, a Jamestown man was arrested after he boasted to friends that two notches cut in the butt of his pistol represented two dead policemen. The man confessed that he murdered Patrolman McCreight and had also murdered Police Officer Elvas Matthews, of the Xenia Police Department, on December 21st, 1922. The man was convicted of Patrolman McCreight's murder and sentenced to life in prison on February 20th, 1923. He was paroled July 30th, 1945. His accomplice was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one to 20 years in the Mansfield Reformatory. The man wrongly convicted of Patrolman McCreight's murder was released.
Survivors
Patrolman McCreight was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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 McCreight served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McCreight.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilmington Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Emery is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Emery is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Emery 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 1922, 9 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Emery was 48. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Emery had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Emery was 48. 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. Emery had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emery was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Emery had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Wilmington Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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
Wilmington Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Emery among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
