Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Chief of Police Walter Eugene Markel of the Ironton Police Department, Ohio, and the additional 68 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

December 2, 2024

I grew up friends with the Markel family..They lived just a couple doors down from my Grandmother on 5th st..What a very sad day for the whole town of Ironton..Chief Markel was without a doubt and still continues to be a hero too me,,It was a very sad and hard Christmas and New Years that year without a doubt..RIP Chief..You will never be forgotten by me..May God continue to bless and bring comfort and peace to the chiefs family as well as too the family of Officer Charlie Giles...Again RIP Chief and Charlie...Both of you are American Hero's...

Chaplain Jerry T. Brownstead
Personal Family Friend.

January 30, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Chief of Police Walter Eugene Markel of the Ironton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 2, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Chief of Police Walter Eugene Markel of the Ironton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 57 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 2, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 16, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Chief of Police Walter Eugene Markel of the Ironton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 49 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 2, 2017

My Grandfather was Born & raised in Ironton, Ohio So I Know that the Chief had to be a Great Public Servent. R I P Chief

Chief of Police(,RET) G. McGovern
Obetz Police Dept

March 16, 2017

The trial for the Chief's assailant was held in Circleville Pickaway County. The injured Ironton Officer was brought to the trial in an ambulance. I believe the accused was Carl Halleck. I was just a kid then but recall it as if it was last month. His accused killer was housed in the old pickaway county jail during the trial.

Terry Dountz FCSO Deputy Ret

May 17, 2016

I am the current Chief of Police for the Ironton Police Department. When I first started here I heard the stories of Chief Markel's death. I was shown the newspaper articles, old photographs of him and his fellow officers. I spoke with officers who were working that day and gained insight in to Chief Markel's character. By all accounts he was firm but fair and a first class Chief of Police. Nearly 50 years after his murder he is still regarded highly. RIP Chief Markel.

Chief Dan Johnson
Ironton Police Department

August 13, 2014

I worked with Walter Markel, and he was a real police officer, very good man also,it was a loss for the people of Ironton Oh

Ret sgt KennethABrowning
Ironton Police dept

September 30, 2013

On this sad day I was in the classroom with his daughter, a neighbor of hers came back from lunch or was late getting to class and he told her that her Daddy had been killed. She started to cry and the teacher told her that if something had happened to her Daddy someone would have come for her. The teacher no sooner got the words out when a knock at classroom door and his daughter was taken away. I'll never forget how I felt that day. Watching the horror in Jean's eyes when they lead her out of the classroom. I knew right then an there I would be a policeman. I served 22 years in the US Army as a military policeman. Chief Markel's death, the man he was and what he stood for consistently reminded me of the standard I must maintain. Chief you may be gone from our presence but your outstanding dedication to duty and true concern for all continue to provide a guiding light in this uncertain world.

Master Sargeant
US Army Retired

February 9, 2013

Gene, You were a great and honorable person. You always had time for me and I looked up to you always. Your personna cast a huge shadow. Thank you for your service to the city Of Ironton.

Jerry Nazor
Friend

June 5, 2012

I was very young and very sick at the time of Chief Markel's death. I remember the event to this day, and still have the Ironton newspaper that broke the story. I was in 2nd grade with the Chief's daughter J (I remember her name, just don't want to put it her). At Christmas time that year members of the class brought a fruit basket to my home and J brought it to me (I still have the basket too). All combined, one of my earliest, saddest, and fondest memories. God Bless

Mike Ogden
friend of the family

March 8, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 2, 2011

I came across an old photo recently of Chief Markel that I took in DC. Chief was one of our chaperones for the annual trip to DC give to the student crossing guards. He impressed me as a caring man and was great with the kids on the trip. I cried the day he was killed as I knew Ironton had lost a great man and a hero. God Bless.

Kevin Carey

January 16, 2011

I have always felt that Chief Markel was an outstanding Police Chief who showed courage and commitment to his duties and community. I have memories of that day in 1966. I was one of the deputies that was involved in the search for the suspect.

Ret. Deputy Jerry A Sweeney
Lawrence County Sheriffs Department

July 14, 2010

I worked under Chief Markel, good man and a very good police officer,My self and the others officers grew up that day the Chief was killed. so sad he was missed by every one I still remenber that day like it was yesterday

Ret SergeantKennethBrowning
Ironton Police Dept

October 5, 2009

Thank you for your service so many years ago. You are still missed in my family and you still have a legacy. If not for you, I very well might have never become a cop.

SA Joseph
ATF

December 9, 2008

i love and miss you

steve markel
son

November 19, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your police and military service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 3, 2007

Chief Markel,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but also for our Country when you served in the USMC during WWII.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous

December 2, 2006

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Ironton Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Chief Markel deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a man than the will to give his life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Chief Markel is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Tom Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina

May 27, 2006

No one who has ever worn the badge shall be forgotten, not as long as there is always another to pin on a badge to carry on.

February 7, 2005