Chief Joseph L. Statum
(1937-2025)
Joe was born on September 14, 1937 in Petersburg, West Virginia, the seventh child born to Reverend Howard D. and Carella P. (Jackson) Statum, both of Alabama. From 1940 to 1955, Reverend Statum moved his family to Princeton, West Virginia, Carbon Hill, Alabama, Chicago, Illinois, and Oxford, Ohio. Joe attended Stewart High School in Oxford. He also attended Miami University and the University of Dayton culminating in a master’s degree in public administration.
Before graduating high school, Joe enlisted in the United States Army and served as a medical specialist. He was honorably discharged.
Joe joined the Oxford Police Department on June 10, 1964 as a Patrolman. In 1966, he attended the Dayton Police Academy and on July 8, 1966 graduated with the highest academic average in the class. In March 1968, he was an instructor at a weeklong Safer Driving Course sponsored by the Oxford Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Patrolman Statum was appointed Police Chief on September 15, 1968, one day after his 31st birthday. In 1970, he seriously considered trading his badge for a Bible and succeeding his father at the Oxford Church of God. For a brief time, he tried doing both. On September 15, 1972, Chief Statum graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy, considered to be one of the top four secondary education schools for law enforcement officers. In 1976, Oxford Police began an Explorer Post sponsored by the Dan Beard Boy Scout Council of Cincinnati and Chief Statum served as its executive officer. On August 27, 1980, Ohio Governor Rhodes appointed him to a four-year term with the Ohio Drug Treatment Advisory Council. Chief Statum retired in 1989 with 25 years of service, 21 of which as Chief.
Chief Statum was a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, the Butler County Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Alumni.
Chief Statum died on May 5, 2025 at the age of 87.
He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Alma (Back) Statum (2014), daughter, Mitzie Dianne Statum (2009), and his siblings. Chief Statum is survived by his son, Joseph Statum, and grandchildren, Cody, Micayla, Tyler, and Caytlin.
A visitation for Joe will be held 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 9, 2025, at Ambassadors’ Pointe Church in Oxford. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be made to AP Church, 5450 College Corner Pike, Oxford, OH 45056.
© 2025 – All rights are reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.