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Incident
Patrolman William Ritter succumbed to injuries sustained after falling from a second-story porch while attempting to arrest a suspect for possessing narcotics.
Patrolman Ritter had served with the Ashtabula Police Department for almost three years.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Ritter gave the Ashtabula Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ashtabula community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ritter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ashtabula Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 4 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 33. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 2.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 2.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 2.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Sundays: 11%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Ashtabula Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Ashtabula Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-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.
