Greene County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, January 29, 1946
Add to My HeroesEarl Confer
Deputy Sheriff Earl Confer was shot and killed, and another deputy was wounded in a gunfight with one of two 21-year-old men while making a traffic stop in Xenia.
Deputy Confer and his partner were waiting for the armed men who had bragged about robbing a warehouse while at a gas station in Cedarville. When the vehicle ran a red light, the officers stopped the subjects at Main and Columbus Streets. The men exited their car and began shooting. Deputy Confer's partner was struck first. Deputy Confer and the subject engaged ina gunfight. The shooter was shot and seriously wounded.
Both suspects were convicted of Deputy Confer's murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 25th, 1946. In 1967, the investigation of the shooting was reopened. On October 13, 1967, a judge ruled that one suspect had nothing to do with the shooting and did nothing to interfere or resist. He had him released from prison the same day.
Deputy Confer had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
He is buried at Spring Valley Cemetery, Greene County, Ohio.
Bio
- Age 53
- Tour 6 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Earl Confer of the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Ohio, and the additional 58 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
January 29, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrol Deputy Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025

Sergeant Shiou Deng
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 23, 2025