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Incident
Detective Keith Dressel was shot and killed when he and another detective interrupted a drug deal on Ontario Street, near Bush Street, at approximately 2:00 am.
One of the suspects fled on foot when the detectives exited their vehicle and identified themselves. Detective Dressel chased that suspect as the other detective took the second suspect into custody.
The juvenile suspect opened fire on Detective Dressel during the foot pursuit, striking him once in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Dressel was able to return fire but did not strike the shooter. The 15-year-old boy was taken into custody later in the day after agreeing to turn himself in to his probation officer.
On November 30th, 2007, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years to life. He was denied parole in 2025, and his next parole date is in October 2032.
Detective Dressel had served with the Toledo Police Department for 14 years and was assigned to the Vice / Narcotics Bureau.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Dressel gave the Toledo Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Dressel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Toledo Police Department has lost 32 officers; 25 of them killed feloniously.
Keith is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Keith is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Keith is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 1 officer at Toledo Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 5.
In 2007, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Keith was 35. Of the 25 killed feloniously at Toledo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 34; the middle age was 29. Keith had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Keith was 35. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Keith had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Keith was 35. 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. Keith had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Keith was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Keith had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 4% of these deaths at Toledo Police Department; August holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.1% of all 32 deaths at Toledo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Toledo Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, Keith among them.
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John Hassett Mar 5, 1880
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James Francis Boyle
May 5, 1908
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Harry C. Smith Sep 25, 1911
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Albert Schultz
Aug 7, 1914
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Kaiser Bartecki
Jan 21, 1915
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Adolf Reimer
Aug 25, 1915
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Louis Jazwiecki Apr 1, 1918
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William Albert Bather, Jr.
May 28, 1919
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George Zapf Sep 23, 1919
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Harry A. Dowell
Jun 9, 1921
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Harold Mosbrugger
Jun 9, 1921
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William Kress
Aug 1, 1921
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Charles W. McGuire
Dec 22, 1921
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William Reed
Dec 28, 1921
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Fritz B. Bacon
Aug 13, 1922
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William J. Martin
Sep 6, 1922
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William Julert
Jan 29, 1924
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Walter Mullin
May 12, 1925
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George Zientara
Apr 16, 1928
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Edward A. Obriest
May 19, 1931
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Edwin Keim
Aug 11, 1932
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Harvey Lloyd O'Neill
Nov 8, 1936
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Fred Disel
May 6, 1944
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John McCarthy
Jan 7, 1947
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Harold Stevens
Jul 3, 1948
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Albert D. Fadell
Nov 18, 1948
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Walter P. Boyle
Dec 8, 1961
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Donald C. Brown
Jun 12, 1962
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William A. Miscannon
Sep 18, 1970
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Keith Dressel
Feb 21, 2007
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Anthony Hussein Dia
Jul 4, 2020
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Brandon Michael Stalker
Jan 18, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Toledo Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
