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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Phillip Pence was stabbed to death by an inmate while conducting searches of cells for weapons at the Community Correctional Institution (current-day Hamilton County River City Correctional Center) at 3220 Colerain Avenue in Camp Washington. He was stabbed as he entered the cell by the suspect, who had warned officers earlier that he would kill the next person to come into his cell. Deputy Pence was stabbed in the chest with a shank fashioned from a metal bucket handle. The suspect was sentenced to death and executed on June 8th, 2004. Deputy Pence had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
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 Pence gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Phillip is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Phillip 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 1984, 1 officer at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 5 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Phillip was 26. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 37.5. Phillip had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Phillip was 26. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Phillip was 26. 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. Phillip had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Phillip was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Phillip had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.4% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Phillip 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 38-W
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.
