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Incident
Sheriff Ben Perry was shot and killed on Ohio State Route 41 by two hitchhikers he stopped to question about a robbery. One of the subjects shot Sheriff Perry as he approached them and then fled in his patrol car. They abandoned the car when it became stuck in mud near Tulip. Five days later, they were captured 200 miles away near Antioch in Monroe County. Both suspects had escaped from the London prison camp on December 29, 1952. They were both convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 3, 1953. The shooter died in prison January 9, 2002. Sheriff Perry had been sworn in as sheriff exactly one week before being murdered and had previously served with the Gary, Indiana, Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Perry gave the Adams County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the West Union community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Perry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ben is the only officer of Adams County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ben is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Ben is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ben 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 1953, 2 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ben was 64. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ben had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ben was 64. 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. Ben had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ben was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ben had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.1% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
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 100% of all 1 deaths at Adams County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Adams County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.