Prev
Incident
Sheriff's Deputies John Bending and Green Willis responded to a battery call where two suspects were wanted for stabbing another citizen because he refused to buy them whiskey.
When the deputies arrived on the scene, they failed to hear warnings from another deputy that both suspects were armed. Both deputies were ambushed before they could get out of their car. Deputy Bending was shot in the head and killed instantly. Deputy Willis was shot in the abdomen and died three years later from the injuries he sustained in this incident.
Other officers returned fire killing one suspect and wounding the other. That suspect, 19, was convicted of Deputy Bending's murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 17, 1928.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqjrhvcrzymhdn7rhftv- 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 John. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bending gave the Scioto County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bending.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Scioto County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1928, 15 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 30. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 30. 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. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 12.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Scioto County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Scioto County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Scioto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
