Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

End of Watch Sunday, June 10, 1984

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Phillip J. Pence

Deputy Sheriff Phillip Pence was stabbed to death by an inmate while conducting searches of cells for weapons at the Community Correctional Institution (current-day Hamilton County River City Correctional Center) at 3220 Colerain Avenue in Camp Washington.

He was stabbed as he entered the cell by the suspect, who had warned officers earlier that he would kill the next person to come into his cell. Deputy Pence was stabbed in the chest with a shank fashioned from a metal bucket handle.

The suspect was sentenced to death and executed on June 8th, 2004.

Deputy Pence had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department for three years. He was survived by his mother.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 3 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Incident Date Saturday, June 9, 1984
Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
Offender Executed in 2004

correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 46 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

June 10, 2025