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Incident
Officer Elvas Matthews was shot and killed while walking his beat in downtown Xenia. A suspect approached him from behind and shot him without provocation. The suspect was arrested a short time later after he boasted to friends that two notches on the butt of his pistol represented two dead police officers. It was determined that he had murdered Patrolman Emery McCreight, of the Wilmington Police Department, on February 15th, 1922. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman McCreight's murder and sentenced to life in prison on February 20th, 1923. He was paroled on July 30th, 1945. Officer Matthews had only served with the Xenia Police Department for three months. He is buried at Lawshe Cemetery, Adams County, Ohio.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Matthews served with the Xenia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Xenia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Xenia Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elvas is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Elvas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elvas 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 1922, 9 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elvas was 28. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elvas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Elvas was 28. 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. Elvas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elvas was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elvas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Xenia Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Xenia Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Elvas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Xenia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
