Detective Sergeant Glenn M. Sturgill, age 30, of the Ashland County Sheriff's Office in Ohio, was shot and killed on August 2, 1982, while attempting to arrest three armed robbery suspects. Sturgill had observed the suspects attempting to rob a woman at gunpoint on Claremont Avenue and pursued one of the men into a cornfield behind McDonald's restaurant.
While taking the suspect into custody, he was ambushed by another suspect hiding behind a trash dumpster and shot in the right-lower side, causing the bullet to strike his heart and kill him instantly.
Within eight hours of the incident, all three suspects were located and taken into custody. The suspects, aged 25, 21, and 17, were tried and convicted of murder and robbery. The 21-year-old shooter was sentenced to life in prison, while his accomplice received a life sentence for manslaughter and robbery. The juvenile was charged with aiding and abetting robbery.
Detective Sergeant Sturgill had served with the Ashland County Sheriff's Department for six years and left behind a wife, Becky, and two children. In his memory, the Command Center at the Ashland County Fairgrounds was dedicated, and the main driveway at the Justice Complex was named Sturgill Drive.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Sturgill's death was a tragic loss for the community and highlighted the dangers law enforcement officers face in the line of duty. His dedication and sacrifice are remembered and honored by those who knew him and the community he served.
