Fallen Officers Memorial

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2025 ceremony for fallen officers

In remembrance, now and always

In a solemn ceremony at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost led a commemoration honoring four Ohio law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty recently, and two historical honorees whose deaths date to the turn of the past century.

He was joined at the 37th Ohio Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony by members of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, law enforcement officers from around the state, and families of the fallen.

The four peace officers memorialized this year are:

  • Deputy Rex A. Emrick, a detective with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office  
  • Corrections Lt. David W. Reynolds, Butler County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Jacob Derbin, Euclid Police Department
  • Officer Jamieson R. Ritter, Cleveland Division of Police 

More information on each officer’s life and legacy can be found under the “2025” dropdown menu below.

The May 8 ceremony also paid tribute to two historical honorees whose deaths date to the turn of the past century:

  • Deputy Marshal John E. Sellers, Shelby Police Department
  • Game Warden Harvey L. Monbeck, Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife

The ceremony marked the 25th year of the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall, which was dedicated in 2000 and encircles an eternal flame at the center of the site. The names engraved on the wall date back to 1832.

In his remarks, Yost said he longs for the day when there is no longer a need to add names to the memorial wall.

“This Circle of Heroes is a promise carved in stone,” he said. “That promise is: You will not be forgotten. But rather than see another name added to this wall, I would like us to close this circle once and for all.”

2025 ceremony for fallen officers

They made the ultimate sacrifice

We remember these Ohio peace officers who died in the line of duty in recent years: