The black granite memorial, in its natural and beautiful setting in the landscaped Academy courtyard, is engraved with the name of each officer killed in the line of duty since the division's inception in 1933. The memorial, dedicated in 1989, was funded by small donations from Patrol employees and retirees, as well as larger groups.

Each year, a memorial service takes place in the courtyard, with the Memorial Wall as a centerpiece for the event. During this program, relatives, friends and others gather to pay respect to those 38 sworn officers and five support personnel who gave their lives for the cause of public safety for all Ohioans.

Also commemorating those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while on the job are plaques of each person located inside the Academy, in the section just off the front lobby known as Heritage Hall.

Each fallen officer has a unique story about how they served the Patrol, as well as the way they ended their line of watch. For instance, Patrolman Harry Grimes was talking with a motorist on the side of the road when he was hit and killed. Patrolman James Fredericka died days after losing control on a wet road and hitting a tree. He was on his way to help at an accident.

Patrolman Earl Casterline's patrol car was hit when he tried to cross railroad tracks that were hard to see clearly. Patrolman Robert Karsmizki was on his way home when he ended up in high speed pursuit of a murder suspect who later fatally shot him. Patrolman Frank Hossler was on patrol when he died in a car crash. Patrolman Ernest Cole, whose son was born three weeks prior, died trying to redirect traffic around a large pile-up on Interstate 75 caused by fog.

Also included on these pages are the known locations of gravesites of those fallen in the line of duty. In the past, all Patrol employees who passed away and the locations where they were buried were recorded. This aided those who paid respects on Memorial Day, or Decoration Day with a wreath or sprig of flowers. Although this practice of recording gravesite locations ended in the early 1990s, not all of the records survive. For example, Patrolman Cole's burial site location is unknown.

The memory of our slain officers remains in the hearts of those people -- active and retired Highway Patrol members, fellow law enforcement officers, and family and friends.