Prev
Incident
Sheriff Deputy Green Willis and Sheriff Deputy John Bending were shot and killed while responding 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 neck during an exchange of gunfire.
Deputy Willis did not return to work. His health deteriorated until his death. The death certificate verifies the cause of death was a direct result of the gunshot injury to the neck that Deputy Willis received in 1928.
Other officers returned fire killing one suspect and wounding the other. The suspect was convicted of Deputy Bendings' murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 17, 1928.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqjrx1vaqbxk496fq26c- 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 Green. 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 Willis 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 Willis.
— 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.
Green is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Green is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Green is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 11 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Green was 51. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Green had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Green was 51. 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. Green had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Green was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Green had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Scioto County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Green among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-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.
