Dayton Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Thursday, May 23, 1996
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 3 months
Badge Number: 447
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 23, 1996
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Police Officer Jake Grossnickle was shot and killed in an ambush as he arrived for work at the 3rd District Headquarters located at 2013 West Third Street.
He and another officer were walking through the department's parking lot towards the back door when a man exited a stolen delivery truck and opened fire on both officers. Officer Grossnickle was struck and killed instantly.
The other officer was shot in the jaw but was able to return fire and killed the suspect.
Both officers had graduated from the academy only 3 months prior to the incident.
Officer Grossnickle's father served as a homicide detective for the Dayton Police Department and responded to the shooting scene.