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Incident
Patrolman George Werne was shot and killed at 9:10 am while searching three robbery suspects at the Hickory Street Railroad Crossing. When three officers approached the subjects, they fired at the officers before they had a chance to draw their weapons. Patrolman Werne was shot in the spine and died instantly. The two other officers survived their wounds. The three suspects were apprehended. One of the suspects suffered a gunshot wound when he fired at officers attempting to arrest him. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and executed on March 31, 1920. Another suspect was found guilty and sentenced to life. The third suspect escaped and was never apprehended. Officer Werne had served with the Akron Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Werne gave the Akron Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Werne.
— 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.
George is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
George is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1919, 1 officer at Akron Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 3.
In 1919, 12 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 32. 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. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
George was 32. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 32. 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. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 25% of these deaths at Akron Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 25%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 34,102 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, George 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 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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