Incident
Corporal John Ruch was killed in an automobile accident during a high-speed pursuit on US Route 20 in Ashtabula County. He and another patrolman were en route to a defense meeting when they attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. Their patrol car went out of control on ice and snow and struck two trees. Corporal Ruch had served with the agency for 8 years and was stationed in Geneva at the time.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Corporal Ruch gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Ruch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ohio State Highway Patrol has lost 42 officers; 33 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 1 officer at Ohio State Highway Patrol was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 2.
In 1942, 6 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 32. Of the 33 lost to accidents at Ohio State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 34; the middle age was 28. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
John was 32. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 32. 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. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 3% of these deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol; February holds the most, 15.2%. Wednesdays: 9.1%.
March holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 78.6% of all 42 deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 6.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Ohio State Highway Patrol has 42 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John F. Best
Jun 17, 1935
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LeRoy S. Bedell
Aug 20, 1935
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James E. Ivory
Jan 7, 1936
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Charles W. Timberlake
Aug 7, 1936
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Karl E. Bushong
Jun 7, 1937
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George A. Conn
Sep 27, 1937
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Charles G. Cannon
Jan 1, 1938
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John G. Hough
Dec 3, 1940
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Paul L. McManis
Sep 28, 1941
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John E. Ruch
Mar 4, 1942
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Vance M. Andrews
Nov 21, 1945
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James P. Gardner
Feb 28, 1948
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Harry D. Grimes
Jun 8, 1952
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James A. Fredericka
May 8, 1953
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Earl W. Casterline
Oct 19, 1953
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Frank J. Hossler
Sep 22, 1956
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Robert E. Karsmizki
Mar 31, 1957
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Ernest E. Cole
Oct 3, 1964
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Jon D. Birchem
Feb 27, 1967
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Harold K. Hanning
Aug 6, 1970
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James A. Kirkendall
Oct 28, 1970
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Joel F. Miller
Dec 6, 1971
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Carl L. Thrush
Feb 6, 1972
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William J. Keller
Oct 14, 1972
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David L. Sterner
Feb 25, 1973
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Jerry Ray Neff
Jan 30, 1974
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Edward G. Moore
Jul 23, 1976
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Charles V. Vogel, Jr.
Jan 24, 1980
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William R. Bender
Nov 20, 1982
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Jody S. Dye
Jul 5, 1985
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Wendy G. Everett
Aug 5, 1988
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Kenneth A. Maloney
Jul 28, 1990
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James R. Gross
Jan 19, 1996
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Robert Perez, Jr.
May 15, 2000
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Frank Galvan Vazquez
Nov 6, 2001
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Dale Rodney Holcomb
Sep 28, 2006
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Joshua Patrick Risner
Sep 28, 2006
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Jack P. Holland, II
Aug 21, 2007
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Andrew C. Baldridge
Feb 4, 2010
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Michael Allyn Paris, Sr.
Aug 1, 2012
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Kenneth V. Velez
Sep 15, 2016
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Nicholas P. Cayton
Oct 16, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
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