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Incident
Constable John Willsey was shot and killed by a suspect who had gone to a home on Dry Ridge Pike, near Bevis, to steal the proceeds from the sale of the home that had been stored inside.
The suspect fled but was later captured, convicted of his murder, and sentenced to life. In April of 1939 he escaped from the London Prison Farm. He was apprehended on July 21, 1940, in Seminole, Baldwin County, Alabama, by the Baldwin County Sheriff and returned to Ohio.
Constable Willsey was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Constable Willsey was survived by his wife and three 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.
Constable Willsey served with the Colerain Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Colerain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Willsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colerain Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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, 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
John was 58. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
John was 58. 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.
John was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 7.7% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Colerain Township Police Department, the 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
Colerain Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Colerain Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
