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Incident
Officer Bill Hetrick was killed when his patrol car was struck by a tractor-trailer while he was on patrol on Ohio 51 near Reiman Road at 4:30 am.
Officer Hetrick was assisting the Genoa Police Department and was driving their patrol car when the incident occurred. He had just finished investigating an accident and was driving on State Route 51 in heavy fog when a tractor-trailer pulled out from a side street, colliding with his patrol car. Officer Hetrick died at the scene.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Hetrick gave the Clay Township Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Genoa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hetrick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Clay Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 2000, 1 officer in OH was lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 30. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. 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. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.2% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clay Township Police Department.
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
Clay Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clay Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
