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Incident
Sheriff Harold Steele was shot and killed while he and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant on a man for failing to appear in court. The man had refused to let utility company employees onto his property and threatened them with a shotgun. The suspect shot Sheriff Steele with a 12-gauge shotgun, and then shot and wounded the deputy who was with him. The suspect fled into the country side. He was arrested one week later and charged with murder. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one to 20 years in prison on February 7th, 1971. Sheriff Steele had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He had been sheriff for 14 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Steele gave the Vinton County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the McArthur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Steele.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vinton County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Harold is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Harold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harold is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harold was 61. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Harold was 61. 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. Harold had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.7% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Vinton County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Vinton County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Harold among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vinton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.