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Incident
Marshal Neal Fowler was shot and killed around 3:00 am as the result of a running gun battle between Fowler and a 19-year-old robbery suspect. The suspect had robbed the Freeman Billings gas station and garage on McPherson Highway in Clyde, taking 5 gallons of gasoline for the stolen vehicle he was driving and 73 cents from the attendant. Officer Fowler responded to the garage and was interviewing the clerk when the suspect drove by the station, and Fowler gave chase. The suspect's vehicle and Fowler's patrol vehicle were traveling side-by-side eastbound on U.S. Route 20 (McPherson Highway) as shots were fired between the vehicles. A witness told officers that Fowler’s police cruiser slid off the side of the road, and he discovered the officer had been shot. The Sandusky County Coroner reported that Fowler had been shot with a 16 gauge shotgun and was killed instantly. The suspect continued eastbound and was stopped by a Bellevue Police Officer whom the suspect also attempted to shoot, but his weapon malfunctioned. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in the Ohio Penitentiary. Governor James A. Rhodes later commuted his conviction to second-degree murder. He was paroled on October 7, 1965.
Survivors
Marshal Fowler was survived by 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.
Night Marshal Fowler served with the Clyde Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clyde community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Fowler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Neal is the only officer of Clyde Police Department remembered here.
Neal is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Neal is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Neal 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 1938, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Neal was 49. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Neal was 49. 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.
Neal was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clyde Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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