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Incident
Lieutenant Michael Lutz was shot and killed with his own gun while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect at 4:30 am. Lieutenant Lutz was dispatched to a Maysville Pike gas station near Fink's Used Cars on a breaking and entering call. When Lieutenant Lutz approached the suspect, the man knocked him down, took his service weapon, and fired four shots. Lieutenant Lutz was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he died less than an hour later. The suspect, a parolee, was convicted of murder and was sentenced to death, but the Ohio Supreme Court overturned the sentence. In 2004 the suspect was re-sentenced to 60 years to life. His first parole hearing is in 2050. Lieutenant Lutz had served with the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and son. His son was a deputy with the department at the time of his father's death and was elected sheriff of the same county, Muskingum, in 2008.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Lieutenant Lutz gave the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Zanesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Lutz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Muskingum County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 48. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 48. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Muskingum County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Muskingum County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Muskingum County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
