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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Victor Cusworth and Deputy Sheriff Dick Rhodes were killed in an automobile crash at approximately 4:00 am while responding to a call of a negligent driver. They were responding down the Seattle Highway, eight miles west of Cle Elem, when their patrol car struck the rear of a slow-moving hay truck. Deputy Cusworth had served with the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmsd1014hm05q51ed4gs- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cusworth gave the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ellensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cusworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Victor is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Victor is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Victor is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 2 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1959, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1959, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Victor was 46. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Victor had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Victor was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Victor had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Victor was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Victor had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Sundays: 18.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Victor among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kittitas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
