On February 24th, 1967, Dayton Police Patrolman Ronald K. Wells was on special assignment when he suffered critical injuries from getting shot.

Although normally assigned to patrol, he was working at the city jail. That same day, a fellow patrolman was also assigned there, where they were processing prisoners bound for the county jail. As friends, they enjoyed clowning around together, so as usual they started trying to provoke each other. But when the other officer pretended to overreact and drew his handgun, it accidentally discharged, and the bullet hit Patrolman Wells in the chest, partially paralyzing him.

Although he had been expected to survive, Ronald died of his injuries nearly six weeks later, on April 6th, 1967.

Patrolman Wells was 25 years old at the time of his death, and had served with the Dayton Police Department for over two years. He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, mother, father, two sisters, and two brothers.

Ronald had worked in the department for nearly two years before initially resigning. But less than a year later he returned because he missed police work and his colleagues there. While convalescing after the incident he had expressed hopes of returning to active duty some day—if necessary in a more limited capacity—perhaps as a dispatcher. During that time he forgave the other officer.