Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Captain John C. Post of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 75 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 25, 2023

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Commander Jeremy Sims
Matteson, IL PD

July 16, 2022

I am proud to say that my great-grandfather was Chief Rudolph Wurstner.
I have heard the story many times about his good friend and respected fellow officer Captain Post and that awful day. My father Jack Barstow left several reflections on this page over the years. He mentions in one that the day Captain Post died was the worst day of The Chief's career. Knowing that my great-grandfather held people to a very high standard, Captain Post must have truly been a top notch officer and special person. To Suzan, who posted here a year ago, if you are looking for more information regarding the day Captain Post was killed I recommend reaching out the DPHF (Dayton Police History Foundation). They might be able to help you.

Karen Lambert
Great-granddaughter of Chief Rudolph Wurstner

October 8, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 25, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Captain John C. Post of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 65 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 25, 2020

Does anyone know the name of the other 2 peace officers that were present at the scene whereby Captain Post was critically wounded?
My grandmother told us about this event over the years we were growing up. Not sure if there is a correlation to my grandfather by the name Charles C Bowen. He succumbed to pneumonia and died July 7 1940 and was buried in the Dayton VA cemetery.

Suzan Bowen Doan
Granddaughter of Charles Bowen peace officer

November 10, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Captain John C. Post of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

September 25, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Captain John C. Post of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 61 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

September 25, 2018

Captain Post was the senior watch commander the day he was shot. He volunteered for that assignment since many officers were participating at the Fairgrounds in the Dayton Police/Fire Field Day activities. Instead of remaining at Police Headquarters, Captain Post accompanied two of his officers on that fateful shooting call.
The sad irony is that Post's boss, Chief R.F. Wurstner, asked Post's wife Carrie to join him and Mrs. Wurstner (also named Carrie) at the Fairgrounds for the activities. When word reached Chief Wurstner in the stands, it was his difficult task to tell Mrs. Post that her husband had just been seriously wounded.
Near the time of his retirement, Chief Wurstner was asked what the worst day of his nearly 47-year career had been. He said it was the day his close friend John Post was killed.

Jack Barstow
Grandson of Chief R.F. Wurstner

August 6, 2016

This man was great uncle who i never met. My grandmother told me about him and I have his pictures. May he rest in peace.

Russell K Rhoades
Spencer, MA Police

June 5, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

September 24, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 85th anniversary year of your death.

Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 24, 2012

My grandfather, Rudolph F. Wurstner,was sworn in on Dec.1, 1902. His friend, John C. Post, was sworn in shortly after. They became very close and remained so for over 24 years. Each of their wives was named Carrie. On September 23, 1927, Captain Post was shift commander at police headquarters at the old Market House on Main Street. My grandfather, who became Chief of Police in 1925, was at the old fairgrounds on South Main Street with my grandmother and Mrs. Post. They were enjoying the Fall harness racing, a very popular pastime in those days. At one point, a young trembling officer ran up to my grandfather and said he needed to talk to the Chief in private. My grandfather left the grandstand with the officer, who proceeded to tell him that Captain Post had been shot and that his condition was very bad. (Captain Post died the next day). Chief Wurstner returned to his seat and broke the news to Carrie Post and Carrie Wurstner that his old friend had been severely wounded in the line of duty.
My grandfather continued as Dayton's Police Chief until his retirement in 1949. At that time, he had served far longer than any other chief of a major American city(24 years). Many years after he retired, I had the opportunity on several occasions to talk to him about his 47 years on the force. He, of course, talked about the innovation of two-way communications, the advent of fingerprinting, mugshots, the capture of John Dillinger in Dayton, etc. The one thing he emphatically expressed was his love and admiration for his old friend, John Post, A TRUE POLICEMAN.

Jack Barstow
Grandson of former Chief Wurstner

April 24, 2008

You gave of yourself so others could be safe and secure in our community. Rest in peace.

Ofr. Will S. Wright
Dayton Police

August 27, 2004