Ashland County Honors Fallen Heroes in 2025 Law Enforcement Memorial Service
ASHLAND — In a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives in the line of duty, law enforcement officers, family members, and community leaders gathered Tuesday evening, May 13, at Calvary Baptist Church for Ashland County’s 2025 Law Enforcement Memorial Service. The annual event, a fixture of National Police Week, paid homage to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of fallen officers both local and nationwide.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m., the ceremony opened with officers brought to attention and a formal Color Guard entrance led by Lieutenant Kline and Sergeant Adam Wolbert, setting a reverent tone for the evening.
The ceremony continued with an Opening Prayer led by Pastor Harry Strachan, followed by the National Anthem, sung by State Representative Melanie Miller. Captain Randy Wood then led the Pledge of Allegiance.
“A Special and Necessary Service”
The evening’s welcome was delivered by retired Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner, a longtime champion of honoring fallen law enforcement. Risner acknowledged the importance of pausing from busy lives to reflect on those who have died while protecting their communities.
“In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day,” Risner reminded the audience. “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.”
Risner recounted the powerful experience of attending the 37th Annual Peace Officers Memorial Service held earlier this month in London, Ohio—a statewide ceremony drawing law enforcement personnel from across the state. He encouraged attendees to visit the Ohio Fallen Officers Memorial Wall on the grounds of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, where more than 840 names are etched in stone, honoring Ohio’s law enforcement personnel who have fallen in the line of duty since 1832.
This year, Risner shared, six officers from Ohio were added to the memorial wall:
Lieutenant Rodney Osborne, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (fatally shot during a training exercise, April 9, 2024)
Patrolman Jacob Durbin, Euclid Police Department (ambushed while responding to a domestic disturbance, May 11, 2024)
Patrolman Jamison Ritter, Cleveland Division of Police (fatally shot while serving)
Corrections Officer Andrew Lansing, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (killed by an inmate, December 25, 2024)
Deputy Rex Embrick, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office (succumbed to COVID-19, January 26, 2020)
Lieutenant David Reynolds, Butler County Sheriff’s Office (succumbed to COVID-19, September 30, 2021)
Two historical additions were also recognized:
Deputy Marshal John Sellers, Shelby Police Department, killed in 1897 while removing a vagrant from a depot
Game Warden Harvey Monbeck, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, killed in 1927 in a motor vehicle crash
Risner also acknowledged the tragic death of Deputy Larry Henderson, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, who was intentionally struck by a vehicle on May 2, 2025. His assailant, acting in revenge after the death of his son, deliberately targeted a uniformed officer. “What a terrible thing to have happen,” Risner said, his voice somber.
Before concluding, Risner expressed his pride in Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider, commending the current sheriff’s dedication and leadership. “He’s absolutely committed to remembering the guys and gals that we’ve lost,” Risner said, before turning the program over to Schneider.
Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider delivered a heartfelt keynote address, reflecting on the weight of their sacrifice and the enduring gratitude owed to their families and colleagues.
“Tonight, we remember the 24,412 names of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty across this nation, whose names will be forever remembered on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial,” said Schneider. “We honor 147 names who were lost to us in the past year, and 25 more already this year.”
Schneider spoke of the courage and selflessness that define the men and women of law enforcement—those who knowingly accept the risks of the profession to protect others. Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, he reminded the audience that the fallen gave the “last full measure of devotion.”
“To the wives, parents, children, siblings, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters of the badge, all of those here tonight who have been touched by these heroes’ lives, we honor you,” Schneider said. “Though there is no speech or ceremony that can ease your pain, tonight we join together to fill your hearts with our county’s and nation’s gratitude.”
The Sheriff emphasized that honoring the fallen must extend beyond a single ceremony—it must be reflected in how we live, serve, and support one another.
“Let us honor the memory of our fallen heroes every day,” he said. “Let us instill a bright light into our communities, that embraces peace and lights the darkness where crime thrives.”
Voices from Across the County
Loudonville Police Chief Brian McCulley, a 30-year veteran of Ashland County law enforcement, shared moving reflections on the legacy of two local heroes he had the privilege of knowing—Lt. John Gisclon and Ranger James Pitney.
“They put the safety of others before themselves,” McCulley said. “Though they are no longer with us, their legacy lives on in the lives they touched, the peace they upheld, and the example they set for us all.”
Ashland Police Division’s Captain Craig Kiley, a second-generation officer, highlighted the very real and ever-present concern for families of those who serve. Quoting from John 15 and Proverbs 28, Kiley stressed the biblical and moral framework that guides so many in law enforcement.
“This job is more than a profession—it is a calling,” he said.
Lieutenant Brad Bishop of the Ohio State Highway Patrol shared personal thoughts about how the loss of fellow troopers has touched his life. “These aren’t just uniforms,” he said. “They are people who loved, laughed, and served—and we will never forget them.”
Roll Call of Ashland County’s Fallen Officers
The most solemn moment of the evening came as Captain Randy Wood and Retired Chief Deputy Carl Richert led the Roll Call of Fallen Officers, reciting the names of those who gave their lives in service to Ashland County:
Deputy Jacob Helbert
End of Watch: February 25, 1888
Shot and killed while attempting to serve a Writ of Habeas Corpus on five barricaded subjects. He was 22 and survived by his parents.
Jeromesville Constable William H. Kelly
End of Watch: February 25, 1888
Shot and killed during the same incident while serving the same writ.
Detective Sergeant Glenn M. Sturgill
End of Watch: August 2, 1982
Shot and killed while attempting to apprehend suspects in an armed robbery. He was 30 and survived by his wife, Becky, and two children, Amanda and Timothy.
Lieutenant John P. Gisclon
End of Watch: January 14, 1995
Fatally shot after stopping a suspicious subject believed to be involved in a burglary. Survived by his wife, Renee, and two daughters, Megan and Lisa.
Trooper James R. Gross
End of Watch: January 19, 1996
Killed during a traffic stop on I-71 involving a suspect fleeing another shooting. He was 27 and survived by his wife, Veronica.
Ranger James R. Pitney
End of Watch: December 17, 2002
Fatally injured by a falling tree limb while assisting with maintenance at Charles Mill Lake Park. He was a Ranger for Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and former dispatcher. Survived by wife Irene and sons James and Joseph.
As the final name was read, a quiet pause fell over the congregation. The words that followed served as a solemn reminder:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
Closing Tributes
Following the Roll Call, surviving family members were presented with flowers in memory of their loved ones. The haunting tones of “Amazing Grace” echoed from the bagpipes, followed by a precision Volley Salute from a multi-agency honor guard. Jim Benshoff performed Taps, the notes piercing the sanctuary with quiet reverence.
Pastor Joshua Cehulik offered the Benediction, sending the officers and families out with prayers of strength and peace.
A Promise to Never Forget
The 2025 Law Enforcement Memorial Service concluded with a final call to remember—not just how these heroes died, but how they lived.
“Let us honor them not just with ceremony, but with how we live,” Sheriff Schneider said. “Let us carry forward their legacy with integrity, with courage, and with compassion.”
Ashland County once again proved that it does not forget its heroes. Through prayer, remembrance, and community support, the legacies of the fallen remain alive in the hearts of those who wear the badge—and those who stand behind them.
