Columbus Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, November 28, 1922
Add to My HeroesGranison P. Koehler
Patrolman Granison Koehler was shot and killed in a gun battle with four men whom the officers had pulled over in a stolen car on North High and Goodale Streets.
At 5:00 a.m., Patrolman Koehler called from the police box that he and his partner stopped the driver of a stolen vehicle, confiscated two guns, and arrested the four suspects. When he returned to the car, one of the men shot Patrolman Koehler three times and shot his partner once in the jaw. Both officers returned fire, but when the patrol wagon arrived, the suspects had fled.
Less than 24 hours later, police found one suspect dead from a gunshot wound in the stolen car, and they apprehended two others. The fourth suspect was arrested in Cleveland the next day.
The suspect who killed Patrolman Koehler was convicted of his murder and was executed in the electric chair on April 13, 1923. The other two were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Governor Frank Lausche pardoned one on January 26, 1955. The other suspect was allowed to work outside the prison on August 30, 1952. He never returned. At the time of the other suspect's pardon, he had not been recaptured.
Patrolman Koehler had served with the Columbus Division of Police for nine years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 9 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Executed in 1923
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Granison P. Koehler of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 82 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
November 28, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin
Mercer County Sheriff's Office, ND
EOW: December 6, 2023

Police Officer Paul Tracey
Waltham Police Department, MA
EOW: December 6, 2023

Trooper Alberto Felix
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Abbate
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Moran
Cortez Police Department, CO
EOW: November 29, 2023

Detective James Michael Lett
Benton Police Department, AR
EOW: November 8, 2023

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: November 14, 2023

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: November 13, 2023

Sergeant Jon Arden Jenson
Fort Worth Police Department, TX
EOW: October 28, 2023