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Incident
Patrolman Jacob Heffelfinger succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier when he was shot by a man after responding to a domestic disturbance. The suspect was arrested later by two officers and shot when he resisted arrest. He was sentenced to prison and died in 1934. Patrolman Heffelfinger had served with the Ashtabula Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, three brothers, and two sisters.
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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Heffelfinger gave the Ashtabula Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ashtabula community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Heffelfinger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ashtabula Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Jacob is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Jacob is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jacob 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
Jacob was 50. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jacob was 50. 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. Jacob had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Ashtabula Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Ashtabula Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Jacob among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ashtabula Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
