Sheriff Harry L. Wolfe, 59, was killed on January 21, 1982, while responding to a burglary call at a rural home on Robinson Road in Plain City, Ohio. The dispatcher heard Wolfe tell the suspect to come over and then heard gunshots through the automated alarm system. Wolfe was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served 29 years with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was identified as 32-year-old Stanley Penn, who was later located in prison on Riker’s Island under an alias. Penn was arrested and extradited to Ohio in December 1982. He initially entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, later changed his plea to guilty, and received a life sentence with no parole for 27 years. Penn died in prison in February 2020.

Wolfe’s death deeply affected the Union County community and law enforcement across Ohio; he is remembered annually at the memorial ceremony for fallen officers. If anyone knew Sheriff Wolfe or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.