Vinton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch Sunday, August 30, 1970
Add to My HeroesHarold A. Steele
Sheriff Harold Steele was shot and killed while he and a deputy attempted to serve a warrant on a man for failing to appear in court.
The man had refused to let utility company employees onto his property and threatened them with a shotgun.
The suspect shot Sheriff Steele with a 12-gauge shotgun, and then shot and wounded the deputy who was with him. The suspect fled into the country side. He was arrested one week later and charged with murder.
The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one to 20 years in prison on February 7th, 1971.
Sheriff Steele had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He had been sheriff for 14 years.
Bio
- Age 61
- Tour 20 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
- Offender Sentenced to 1 to 20 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 21 ReflectionsI was at Ohio State Fair in the youth choir and I looked across the table where another member was reading the CJ and the Headline stated. Vinton County Sheriff murdered. Needless to say I lost my breakfast and had to go to dorm where we were staying during the fair. On many occasions Harold, Dutch, Robert, and some of us young boys would ride to the fair and park on 11th Ave and with the press tickets that Dorothy Wells would give us from the Republican Tribune we would do the fair in that day. Then it was back to McArthur. On many occasions Harold would come to the orchard and get peaches,apples, and cider. Then sometimes on my birthday Harold and Cora would show up with a German Chocolate cake. Miss Cora was a great cook. To this day I still tear up about this sad loss. Robert if you read this may the Lord Jesus Christ give you peace because He is the only one who can.
Frank Wells
Forever friend
March 1, 2019
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