Deputy Sheriff Donald V. Kehnast, Defiance County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

Deputy Sheriff Donald V. Kehnast

Defiance County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

End of Watch Tuesday, December 15, 1964

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Donald V. Kehnast

Deputy Sheriff Donald Kehnast suffered a fatal heart attack while he and several other officers struggled with a mental patient at a tavern in Defiance, Ohio.

Deputy Kehnast had been elected sheriff two months earlier and was to take office on January 4, 1965. He had served with the Defiance County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

Bio

Age 52
Tour 22 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Heart attack

EDP, mentally ill

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NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Donald V. Kehnast of the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio, and the additional 78 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

December 15, 2025