Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 3, 1926
Age: 72
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 2, 1926
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Executed in 1927
Guard Urban Wilford was shot and killed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield during an escape attempt.
A former prisoner, who was out on parole, returned to the prison and shot Guard Wilford at the West Gate in an attempt to break out a friend.
The suspect was arrested two months later. He was convicted of Guard Wilford's murder and executed in the electric chair in 1927.
Guard Wilford had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and had previously served as a police officer in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, from 1876 until 1883 when he immigrated to the United States. He was survived by his wife.