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Incident
Sheriff Jess Sarber was shot and killed when several members of the Dillinger Gang attempted to break John Dillinger out of the Allen County Jail located at 301 N. Main Street in Lima. Around 6:00 p.m., three men entered the jail and requested that John Dillinger be extradited to Indiana. When Sheriff Sarber requested credentials, the men pulled out guns and threatened to kill the sheriff and others if they did not get the keys. Sheriff Sarber refused, and one of the men shot him and then began to beat him. Sheriff Sarber's wife gave the men the keys, requesting that they not shoot or hurt anyone else. Before they fled, they locked her in a cell. Three suspects were convicted of his murder. One died trying to escape prison, another was executed, and a third was given a life sentence and died in 1963. Sheriff Sarber had served as the sheriff of the Allen County Sheriff's Department for two years. Survivors include his wife and son. He is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Delphos, Allen County, Ohio. Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934. Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents. The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison. Click here to see all the officers killed by members of the Dillinger Gang
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and son.
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.
Sheriff Sarber gave the Allen County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lima community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sarber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Allen County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jess is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Jess is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jess is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 7 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jess was 47. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jess had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jess was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jess had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jess was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jess had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.4% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Allen County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 3.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Allen County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jess 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 Allen County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
