Prev
Incident
Patrolman LeRoy Bedell was killed in a motorcycle crash while patrolling State Route 59 in Erie County, six miles east of Bellevue, at 3:35 pm. A dog lunged at his motorcycle, causing him to lose control as he attempted to avoid striking it. He was thrown onto the highway and suffered a broken neck. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries 15 minutes later. Patrolman Bedell had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for two years, was assigned to Bellevue, and previously served with the Heron County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife, five children, and mother. State Route 59 is current day OH 113.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, five children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqhqg0k3b4ht5x36dfgg- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew LeRoy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bedell gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bedell.
— 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.
LeRoy is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
LeRoy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
LeRoy 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 1935, 2 officers at Ohio State Highway Patrol were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 8 officers in OH were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
LeRoy was 34. 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. LeRoy had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
LeRoy was 34. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. LeRoy had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
LeRoy was 34. 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. LeRoy had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
LeRoy was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. LeRoy had served 2.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 15.2% of these deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol; February holds the most, 15.2%. Tuesdays: 9.1%.
August holds 9.1% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 15%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 78.6% of all 42 deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol, the 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
Ohio State Highway Patrol has 42 officers remembered here, LeRoy among them.
-
John F. Best
Jun 17, 1935
-
LeRoy S. Bedell
Aug 20, 1935
-
James E. Ivory
Jan 7, 1936
-
Charles W. Timberlake
Aug 7, 1936
-
Karl E. Bushong
Jun 7, 1937
-
George A. Conn
Sep 27, 1937
-
Charles G. Cannon
Jan 1, 1938
-
John G. Hough
Dec 3, 1940
-
Paul L. McManis
Sep 28, 1941
-
John E. Ruch
Mar 4, 1942
-
Vance M. Andrews
Nov 21, 1945
-
James P. Gardner
Feb 28, 1948
-
Harry D. Grimes
Jun 8, 1952
-
James A. Fredericka
May 8, 1953
-
Earl W. Casterline
Oct 19, 1953
-
Frank J. Hossler
Sep 22, 1956
-
Robert E. Karsmizki
Mar 31, 1957
-
Ernest E. Cole
Oct 3, 1964
-
Jon D. Birchem
Feb 27, 1967
-
Harold K. Hanning
Aug 6, 1970
-
James A. Kirkendall
Oct 28, 1970
-
Joel F. Miller
Dec 6, 1971
-
Carl L. Thrush
Feb 6, 1972
-
William J. Keller
Oct 14, 1972
-
David L. Sterner
Feb 25, 1973
-
Jerry Ray Neff
Jan 30, 1974
-
Edward G. Moore
Jul 23, 1976
-
Charles V. Vogel, Jr.
Jan 24, 1980
-
William R. Bender
Nov 20, 1982
-
Jody S. Dye
Jul 5, 1985
-
Wendy G. Everett
Aug 5, 1988
-
Kenneth A. Maloney
Jul 28, 1990
-
James R. Gross
Jan 19, 1996
-
Robert Perez, Jr.
May 15, 2000
-
Frank Galvan Vazquez
Nov 6, 2001
-
Dale Rodney Holcomb
Sep 28, 2006
-
Joshua Patrick Risner
Sep 28, 2006
-
Jack P. Holland, II
Aug 21, 2007
-
Andrew C. Baldridge
Feb 4, 2010
-
Michael Allyn Paris, Sr.
Aug 1, 2012
-
Kenneth V. Velez
Sep 15, 2016
-
Nicholas P. Cayton
Oct 16, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
