Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio
End of Watch Monday, April 19, 1948
Add to My HeroesWalter W. Zimmer
Guard Walter Zimmer and Guard Samuel Chesshir were stabbed to death by an inmate at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus.
The inmate went berserk for no apparent reason, grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchen, stabbed both guards and seriously injured another guard before being subdued.
The inmate, who was serving a 15-year sentence for burglary, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and executed in the electric chair on February 2nd, 1949.
Guard Zimmer had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for six years. He was survived by his wife and seven children.
Bio
- Age 68
- Tour 6 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Executed in 1949
Related LODD Deaths
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Guard Walter W. Zimmer of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio and the additional 83 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
April 19, 2025
