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Incident
Patrolman Edward Obriest was shot and killed by an unknown suspect while working an undercover assignment at the 300 block of Illinois Street. Patrolman Obriest was working as a decoy for the vice squad on May 16, 1931. The squad was focusing on the 300 block of Illinois Street near Division Street after they had received several complaints of prostitution, gambling, and other vice activity. Patrolman Obriest came upon a male with a jug of whiskey. He confronted the man, pulling up his sweater to identify himself as a police officer. A scuffle ensued, catching the attention of the man's 19-year-old stepson, who ran off to get a weapon and then returned and shot Patrolman Obriest, who died from his wounds three days later. Patrolman Obriest served with the Toledo Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-7NAF-ZBN4-Xearlier record number BO-US-OH-B136CFB3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Obriest gave the Toledo Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Obriest.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Toledo Police Department has lost 32 officers; 25 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.7% of the 992 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 1 officer at Toledo Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 5.
In 1931, 11 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 27. Of the 25 killed feloniously at Toledo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 34; the middle age was 29. Edward had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Edward was 27. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 27. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 27. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 12% of these deaths at Toledo Police Department; August holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
May holds 9.3% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.1% of all 32 deaths at Toledo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 52% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.7% of all 992 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Toledo Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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John Hassett Mar 5, 1880
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James Francis Boyle
May 5, 1908
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Harry C. Smith Sep 25, 1911
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Albert Schultz
Aug 7, 1914
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Kaiser Bartecki
Jan 21, 1915
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Adolf Reimer
Aug 25, 1915
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Louis Jazwiecki Apr 1, 1918
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William Albert Bather, Jr.
May 28, 1919
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George Zapf Sep 23, 1919
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Harry A. Dowell
Jun 9, 1921
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Harold Mosbrugger
Jun 9, 1921
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William Kress
Aug 1, 1921
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Charles W. McGuire
Dec 22, 1921
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William Reed
Dec 28, 1921
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Fritz B. Bacon
Aug 13, 1922
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William J. Martin
Sep 6, 1922
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William Julert
Jan 29, 1924
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Walter Mullin
May 12, 1925
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George Zientara
Apr 16, 1928
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Edward A. Obriest
May 19, 1931
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Edwin Keim
Aug 11, 1932
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Harvey Lloyd O'Neill
Nov 8, 1936
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Fred Disel
May 6, 1944
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John McCarthy
Jan 7, 1947
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Harold Stevens
Jul 3, 1948
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Albert D. Fadell
Nov 18, 1948
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Walter P. Boyle
Dec 8, 1961
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Donald C. Brown
Jun 12, 1962
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William A. Miscannon
Sep 18, 1970
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Keith Dressel
Feb 21, 2007
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Anthony Hussein Dia
Jul 4, 2020
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Brandon Michael Stalker
Jan 18, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
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