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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ray Westover was shot and killed as he and a state trooper searched three men they had stopped in a stolen vehicle on Ohio State Route 2 and Wynn Road in Oregon, Ohio. The trooper shot one suspect as Deputy Westover's killer fled in the car, leaving his two companions behind. The suspect fled into Toledo, where he lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to swerve around a police roadblock in front of St. Charles Hospital. Just before he crashed, he struck and killed a 19-year-old woman and seriously injured a blind man she was helping cross the street. The 35-year-old suspect who shot Deputy Westover was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled all death sentences unconstitutional. Deputy Westover had served with the Lucas County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Westover gave the Lucas County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Westover.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lucas County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray 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 1956, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 33. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ray was 33. 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. Ray had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.3% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Lucas County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. 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.
His people
Lucas County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lucas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
