Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch Monday, February 15, 1926
Add to My HeroesJohn F. Saxton
Patrolman Saxton succumbed to a gunshot wound received three years earlier while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. He and two other officers had gone into a restaurant after receiving a tip on the suspect's whereabouts. When they began to search him he jumped up and opened fire with a .25 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Saxton in the groin. Patrolman Saxton never fully recovered from the wound, developed blood poison, and died three years later.
The man was convicted of shooting with intent to kill and carrying a concealed handgun. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison a few weeks after he shot Patrolman Saxton. He was not charged when Patrolman Saxton died.
Patrolman Saxton had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, three sons, brother, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, March 7, 1923
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to 10 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman John F. Saxton of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
February 15, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024