Guard Walter W. Zimmer, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

Guard Walter W. Zimmer

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

End of Watch Monday, April 19, 1948

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Walter W. Zimmer

Guard Walter Zimmer and Guard Samuel Chesshir were stabbed to death by an inmate at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus.

The inmate went berserk for no apparent reason, grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchen, stabbed both guards and seriously injured another guard before being subdued.

The inmate, who was serving a 15-year sentence for burglary, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and executed in the electric chair on February 2nd, 1949.

Guard Zimmer had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for six years. He was survived by his wife and seven children.

Bio

Age 68
Tour 6 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Executed in 1949

prisoner custody

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NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Guard Walter W. Zimmer of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio and the additional 83 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

April 19, 2025