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Incident
Police Officer Frank Ward was beaten to death after responding to a domestic disturbance call. He was attempting to prevent the male subject from beating his wife when the man fatally struck him with a piece of firewood. The subject was convicted of Officer Ward's murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2013 and is still in custody.
Survivors
Officer Ward is survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtqq9gk2p1z0rp91hnb5w- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Ward served with the John Day Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the John Day community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Frank is the only officer of John Day Police Department remembered here.
Frank is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1992, 2 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1992, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1992, 97 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 39. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
Frank was 39. 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.
Frank was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at John Day Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.7% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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