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Incident
Detective George Purcell was shot and killed while attempting to arrest question a suspect for carrying a concealed weapon at 755 South Euclid Avenue at 8:30 p.m. He was shot three times by a suspect who was later arrested after a massive manhunt. It was later discovered the wrong man was apprehended. The suspect was identified but never captured. Detective Purcell had served with the Dayton Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 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.
Detective Purcell gave the Dayton Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Purcell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dayton Police Department has lost 31 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1916, 2 officers at Dayton Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 3.
In 1916, 17 officers in OH were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 40. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Dayton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 43.8; the middle age was 39. George had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 40. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 40. 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. George had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths at Dayton Police Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 11.1%.
September holds 8.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.1% of all 31 deaths at Dayton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 44.4% 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
Dayton Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, George among them.
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Lee Lynam
Jan 17, 1880
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Amer M. Keller
Jan 7, 1897
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William Dalton
Aug 10, 1899
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John J. Stapleton
Jan 17, 1916
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Charles V. Thomas
May 21, 1916
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George V. Purcell
Sep 23, 1916
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Lawrence Robert Graham
Oct 7, 1918
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Edward Michael Hennessey
Oct 12, 1918
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Vinton E. Harsh
Oct 13, 1918
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Emerson A. Glotfelter
Dec 7, 1918
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Clement Leroy Francis
Mar 8, 1919
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Troy Elmer Sine
Jan 28, 1920
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George E. Clark
Jan 29, 1923
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William C. Horn
Sep 18, 1927
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John C. Post
Sep 25, 1927
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Walter E. Rauch
Dec 25, 1927
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William Tom Wilson
Feb 23, 1928
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Lucius J. Rice
Oct 5, 1939
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Sherman E. Nowlin
May 3, 1947
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Herman A. Drexler
May 16, 1947
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Richard Owen Baker
Nov 5, 1965
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Ronald K. Wells
Apr 6, 1967
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James Lee Mobley
Jan 25, 1970
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Paul Erwin Mortimer
Jul 31, 1970
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Daniel Henry Bruns
Jul 3, 1973
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William Kenneth Mortimer
Mar 4, 1974
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Eddie L. Hobson
Oct 11, 1981
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William Steven Whalen
Mar 22, 1991
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Jason K. Grossnickle
May 23, 1996
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Mary Lynn Beall
Aug 25, 2002
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Jorge Rene DelRio
Nov 7, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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