Logan County Law Enforcement Officers
killed in the line of duty
Deputy George Washington Rockwell Age:35
Logan County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 1, 1878
On April, 30, 1878, a verdict in a slander suit resulted in a court settlement against Amos H. Inskeep. Logan County Sheriff McCracken with the aid of Deputy George W. Rockwell went to the Inskeep farm in Zane Township, Logan County, Ohio to levy horses for sale from Amos H. Inskeep to satisfy the claim. The Sheriff and Deputy Rockwell began to drive the horses down the drive away from the Inskeep farm when Amos H. Inskeep came out of his home and walked down the fence line with rifle concealed. Inskeep rested the rifle on a gate post and shot Deputy Rockwell in the back from about 60 yards distance. Deputy Rockwell died from the gunshot wound at about 8:00 am the next morning, after his wife and three of his children arrived at the Inskeep farm where doctors had been summoned to treat Deputy Rockwell for his wound.
Deputy Rockwell a Civil War veteran was survived by his wife and four children.
On Sunday morning February 8, 1880, Amos H. Inskeep was captured at his farm after his return and time on the run for the murder of Deputy Rockwell. A posse consisting of 6 deputies lead by Sheriff McCracken descended on the farm in the early morning hours; surrounding the house and Inskeep was told that if he quietly surrendered no harm would come to him, otherwise he was given to understand that he assumed responsibility for what might happen.
On Saturday, June 5, 1880 at the end of a trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty for murder in the second degree which carried a penalty of imprisonment for life for Amos H. Inskeep.
In 1891, Amos Inskeep was pardoned by Governor Campbell. Inskeep’s sentence was commuted to 17 years and credits for good behavior enabled him to secure a discharge from prison on Monday, December 20, 1891.
Logan County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 1, 1878
On April, 30, 1878, a verdict in a slander suit resulted in a court settlement against Amos H. Inskeep. Logan County Sheriff McCracken with the aid of Deputy George W. Rockwell went to the Inskeep farm in Zane Township, Logan County, Ohio to levy horses for sale from Amos H. Inskeep to satisfy the claim. The Sheriff and Deputy Rockwell began to drive the horses down the drive away from the Inskeep farm when Amos H. Inskeep came out of his home and walked down the fence line with rifle concealed. Inskeep rested the rifle on a gate post and shot Deputy Rockwell in the back from about 60 yards distance. Deputy Rockwell died from the gunshot wound at about 8:00 am the next morning, after his wife and three of his children arrived at the Inskeep farm where doctors had been summoned to treat Deputy Rockwell for his wound.
Deputy Rockwell a Civil War veteran was survived by his wife and four children.
On Sunday morning February 8, 1880, Amos H. Inskeep was captured at his farm after his return and time on the run for the murder of Deputy Rockwell. A posse consisting of 6 deputies lead by Sheriff McCracken descended on the farm in the early morning hours; surrounding the house and Inskeep was told that if he quietly surrendered no harm would come to him, otherwise he was given to understand that he assumed responsibility for what might happen.
On Saturday, June 5, 1880 at the end of a trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty for murder in the second degree which carried a penalty of imprisonment for life for Amos H. Inskeep.
In 1891, Amos Inskeep was pardoned by Governor Campbell. Inskeep’s sentence was commuted to 17 years and credits for good behavior enabled him to secure a discharge from prison on Monday, December 20, 1891.
Patrolman Frank J. Hossler Age:25
Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, September 22, 1956
Patrolman Frank Hossler was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol near DeGraff, Ohio. He was stationed at the Bellefontaine Post at the time of his death. Patrolman Hossler was survived by his expectant wife.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/6717-patrolman-frank-j-hossler#ixzz2kX4c7kCm
Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, September 22, 1956
Patrolman Frank Hossler was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol near DeGraff, Ohio. He was stationed at the Bellefontaine Post at the time of his death. Patrolman Hossler was survived by his expectant wife.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/6717-patrolman-frank-j-hossler#ixzz2kX4c7kCm
Marshal Sherman W. Ricketts Age:60
West Liberty Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Friday, June 29, 1962
Marshal Ricketts was shot and killed in front of the Presbyterian Church after responding to a call to check a man walking on Reynolds Street at 2:45 a.m. The suspect opened fire as soon as he approached him. Before dying the marshal returned fire hitting the suspect three times.
The suspect, a 25 year old Michigan parole violator, had broken into a nearby residence. He was convicted of Marshal Ricketts murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 8, 1962. As of 2013 he remains in the Ohio Penitentiary and is Ohio's longest serving inmate.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/11251-marshal-sherman-w-ricketts#ixzz2kX1z9Fv4
West Liberty Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Friday, June 29, 1962
Marshal Ricketts was shot and killed in front of the Presbyterian Church after responding to a call to check a man walking on Reynolds Street at 2:45 a.m. The suspect opened fire as soon as he approached him. Before dying the marshal returned fire hitting the suspect three times.
The suspect, a 25 year old Michigan parole violator, had broken into a nearby residence. He was convicted of Marshal Ricketts murder and sentenced to life in prison on November 8, 1962. As of 2013 he remains in the Ohio Penitentiary and is Ohio's longest serving inmate.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/11251-marshal-sherman-w-ricketts#ixzz2kX1z9Fv4
Chief of Police Murray Wilson Griffin Age:65
Belle Center Village Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, July 5, 1986
Chief Murray Griffin was shot and killed with his own weapon after he responded to a domestic disturbance call. Other responding officers found him shot to death and the female complainant stabbed to death. A suspect was arrested approximately four years later but all charges were dropped and no new charges were ever filed.
Chief Griffin had been with the agency for 25 years. He was a veteran of World War II and is buried in Fair View Cemetery, Belle Center, Ohio.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/5753-chief-of-police-murray-wilson-griffin#ixzz2kX3tIUQh
Belle Center Village Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, July 5, 1986
Chief Murray Griffin was shot and killed with his own weapon after he responded to a domestic disturbance call. Other responding officers found him shot to death and the female complainant stabbed to death. A suspect was arrested approximately four years later but all charges were dropped and no new charges were ever filed.
Chief Griffin had been with the agency for 25 years. He was a veteran of World War II and is buried in Fair View Cemetery, Belle Center, Ohio.
Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/5753-chief-of-police-murray-wilson-griffin#ixzz2kX3tIUQh