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Incident
Sheriff Benjamen McLean died from wounds he received from a beating he took trying to arrest two horse thieves at night on the north side of Sidney Square. Sheriff McLean had served for three years with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. He had been a salesman before becoming Sheriff. He was survived by his wife and six children. Sheriff McLean is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Sidney, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six 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
160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff McLean gave the Shelby County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sidney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Benjamen is the only officer of Shelby County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Benjamen is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Benjamen is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamen 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 1866, 1 officer in OH was killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1866, 23 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1866, 26 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 160th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamen was 44. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamen had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Benjamen was 44. 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. Benjamen had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamen was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamen had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 13.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was not available, 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 not available, in 0.2% 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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.