Patrolman John Leslie McDonald, aged 40, was shot and killed on January 7, 1908, in Steubenville, Ohio. McDonald was attempting to arrest a man named Milovan Dodic, who was causing a disturbance during a New Year's celebration. During the struggle, Dodic shot McDonald in the forehead, killing him instantly.
Dodic was arrested shortly after the incident and was initially sentenced to death. However, he was granted a new trial and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Dodic eventually died in the Lima State Mental Hospital on October 9, 1918.
McDonald had served with the Steubenville Police Department for only a few months before his death. He was remembered as a brave and fearless officer who served in one of the most dangerous districts in the city. McDonald is buried at Union Cemetery in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio.
The case drew significant attention at the time, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. McDonald's death was a tragic reminder of the risks associated with policing, and he is honored along with other fallen officers during annual Peace Officers Memorial Day services in Steubenville.
