John E. Ruch
Agency patch
Corporal

John E. Ruch

Ohio State Highway Patrol — Columbus, OH
Accident
End of Watch March 4, 1942
Age 32
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 28
The Vigil Panel 78 ›
Gender Male

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

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Stewardship
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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.
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

Type Highway Patrol
Location Columbus, OH
Platform Identity oshp.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 4, 1942
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Ohio State Highway Patrol has 42 officers remembered here, John among them.

Corporal John E. Ruch

Ohio State Highway Patrol · End of Watch March 4, 1942

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W

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