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Incident
Patrolman Gethin Richards was the fourth of four Akron Policemen to be shot and killed by members of an Italian gang in retaliation for the Akron Police Department's crackdown on their gambling dens and brothels. He was shot five times in front of 323 South Main Street at 1:00 a.m. The gang was responsible for the deaths of Patrolman Guy Norris, shot and killed on December 24, 1917, and Patrolman Edward J. Costigan and Patrolman Joseph H. Hunt, both shot and killed on January 10, 1918. The Akron Police Department was baffled by the murders, not realizing the gang's involvement until an anonymous phone caller implicated one of the gang members, who was arrested in New York. The suspect implicated five other gang members who were arrested and charged with murder. Four of the suspects were executed in Ohio's electric chair: one on October 4, 1918, two on February 19, 1919, and one on July 24, 1919. The other two suspects were sentenced to life in prison. One was released in 1934 and deported to Italy. The other suspect was denied parole in 1964.
Survivors
Patrolman Richards, a widower, was survived by his daughters, in-laws, and brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Richards served with the Akron Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Richards.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Akron Police Department has lost 28 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Gethin is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Gethin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gethin 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 1918, 3 officers at Akron Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 15 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gethin was 37. Of the 16 killed feloniously at Akron Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.8 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5.
Gethin was 37. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Gethin was 37. 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.
Gethin was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 25% of these deaths at Akron Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 6.3%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 28 deaths at Akron Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 62.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Akron Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Gethin among them.
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Guy Norris
Dec 24, 1917
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Edward J. Costigan
Jan 10, 1918
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Joseph H. Hunt
Jan 12, 1918
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Gethin G. Richards
Mar 12, 1918
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Adolph Oberdoerster
Dec 15, 1918
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George Werne
Mar 9, 1919
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Harold Rogers
Jul 8, 1925
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William H. Grubbs
May 10, 1929
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Harland F. Manes
Mar 9, 1930
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Forrest L. Good
Jun 21, 1931
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Kenneth Knepp
Mar 3, 1933
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William Sherfie Peterson
Oct 31, 1933
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Arden D. Weese
Mar 22, 1946
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Floyd A. Weatherholt, Jr.
Mar 25, 1960
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Ronald D. Rotruck
Jul 21, 1964
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Eugene Hooper
Apr 10, 1965
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Robert E. Donahue
Jul 31, 1968
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Glenn K. Stewart
Sep 5, 1970
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Stephen J. Ondas
Oct 21, 1972
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Gary A. Yost, Sr.
Aug 23, 1975
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Ben James Franklin
Jan 10, 1992
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Harold L. Wintrow
Aug 27, 1993
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George R. Knaff
Nov 5, 1994
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Frank Dennis Mancini
Jan 23, 2012
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Jonathan R. Long
Aug 15, 2013
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Justin Robert Winebrenner
Nov 16, 2014
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Kenneth Clarence Jones
Nov 7, 2020
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Edward Lee Stewart
Feb 12, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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