Aug 28 2022 By Parker Perry rbbm.
www.daytondailynews.com
''Advances in DNA technology may help Dayton police solve the killing of a decorated war veteran in his home more than 13 years ago, and authorities are renewing requests for the public’s help.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) North E. Woodall, 85, was found bloodied and unconscious in his home at about 11:30 p.m. on July 27, 2009. Police said the front door of the Walton Avenue home was kicked in and areas where Woodall kept money were tampered with.
The Dayton Police Department’s revamped cold case unit says it is seeking new leads so it can bring justice in the case.''
“Even though time has passed, we are hopeful and even confident that there’s evidence that was collected inside that house that can benefit us,” said Gary White, a retired Dayton Police detective who is now working for the cold case unit. “Every case we investigate comes down to having good witnesses, having the good people come forward and provide us with information that is necessary to solve these types of cases.''
''Respected Army veteran
Woodall was a longtime, respected member of the Dayton community who was a veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
According to the Dayton Daily News archives, he grew up in Mississippi and was the grandson of a slave. He was drafted into the Army where he molded himself into a sergeant major and a decorated paratrooper. He was also a husband and father to six children.
“He’s a man that served his country, a man of honor,” White said. “He lived at that address for decades. Some people who live in that neighborhood remember him from when they were children.”
On July 27, 2009, a woman went to check on Woodall at about 11:30 p.m. and found that the front door of his house was damaged. She went inside and found Woodall on the floor of his living room, White said.
“Mr. Woodall suffered a very serious head injury,” he said.''
''Burke said Woodall was known to keep money for at least 13 people.
“He was known to carry large amounts of cash, and he was known to carry large amounts of cash in his left front pants pocket or also in a box in one of his drawers in his bedroom,” Burke said. “At the time of the homicide, nothing is disturbed in the residence besides his left front pants pocket is pulled out and the one drawer is pulled out.''
“It’s clear in our mind that was the whole basis of this homicide was to get in there and rob (him) of all the money.”
“Mr. Woodall survived three wars, he’s a veteran who served his country,” White said. “He raised his family in Dayton. If anyone deserves a second and third look at a murder case it’s someone like Mr. Woodall. We are making every effort in trying to reinvestigate his case.
“His family needs to know answers.”
Dayton cold case: Police seeking help to finally find killer of 85-year-old veteran of 3 wars
Advances in DNA technology may help Dayton police solve the killing of a decorated war veteran in his home more than 13 years ago, and authorities are renewing requests for the public’s help.
''Advances in DNA technology may help Dayton police solve the killing of a decorated war veteran in his home more than 13 years ago, and authorities are renewing requests for the public’s help.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) North E. Woodall, 85, was found bloodied and unconscious in his home at about 11:30 p.m. on July 27, 2009. Police said the front door of the Walton Avenue home was kicked in and areas where Woodall kept money were tampered with.
The Dayton Police Department’s revamped cold case unit says it is seeking new leads so it can bring justice in the case.''
“Even though time has passed, we are hopeful and even confident that there’s evidence that was collected inside that house that can benefit us,” said Gary White, a retired Dayton Police detective who is now working for the cold case unit. “Every case we investigate comes down to having good witnesses, having the good people come forward and provide us with information that is necessary to solve these types of cases.''
''Respected Army veteran
Woodall was a longtime, respected member of the Dayton community who was a veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
According to the Dayton Daily News archives, he grew up in Mississippi and was the grandson of a slave. He was drafted into the Army where he molded himself into a sergeant major and a decorated paratrooper. He was also a husband and father to six children.
“He’s a man that served his country, a man of honor,” White said. “He lived at that address for decades. Some people who live in that neighborhood remember him from when they were children.”
On July 27, 2009, a woman went to check on Woodall at about 11:30 p.m. and found that the front door of his house was damaged. She went inside and found Woodall on the floor of his living room, White said.
“Mr. Woodall suffered a very serious head injury,” he said.''
''Burke said Woodall was known to keep money for at least 13 people.
“He was known to carry large amounts of cash, and he was known to carry large amounts of cash in his left front pants pocket or also in a box in one of his drawers in his bedroom,” Burke said. “At the time of the homicide, nothing is disturbed in the residence besides his left front pants pocket is pulled out and the one drawer is pulled out.''
“It’s clear in our mind that was the whole basis of this homicide was to get in there and rob (him) of all the money.”
“Mr. Woodall survived three wars, he’s a veteran who served his country,” White said. “He raised his family in Dayton. If anyone deserves a second and third look at a murder case it’s someone like Mr. Woodall. We are making every effort in trying to reinvestigate his case.
“His family needs to know answers.”
