Patrolman John F. Saxton
Cleveland Police Department
Ohio
End of Watch: Monday, February 15, 1926

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, March 7, 1923
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years

Patrolman Saxton succumbed to a gunshot wound received three years earlier while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. He and two other officers had gone into a restaurant after receiving a tip on the suspect's whereabouts. When they began to search him he jumped up and opened fire with a .25 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Saxton in the groin. Patrolman Saxton never fully recovered from the wound, developed blood poison, and died three years later.

The man was convicted of shooting with intent to kill and carrying a concealed handgun. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison a few weeks after he shot Patrolman Saxton. He was not charged when Patrolman Saxton died.

Patrolman Saxton had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, three sons, brother, and two sisters.