Guard Samuel P. Chesshir, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

Guard Samuel P. Chesshir

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

End of Watch Thursday, April 22, 1948

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Samuel P. Chesshir

Guard Sam Chesshir and Guard Walter Zimmer 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. Guard Chesshir succumbed to his wounds three days later.

The inmate, 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 Chesshir was a U.S. Army WWI veteran and had served with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for five years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.

He is buried at Sunset Cemetary in Galloway, Franklin County, Ohio.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Incident Date Monday, April 19, 1948
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Executed in 1949

correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Guard Samuel P. Chesshir of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio and the additional 67 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 22, 2025