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Incident
Patrolman Ralph Garthwaite was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 30 two miles north of Woodbine. The incident occurred on a bridge as Patrolman Garhwaite travelled northbound towards Dunlap, Iowa. The subject, who refused to take a blood test, was charged with manslaughter. A jury found him innocent on November 30th, 1956. Patrolman Garthwaite was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Iowa State Patrol for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Garthwaite gave the Iowa State Patrol 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ralph Franklin Garthwaite served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iowa State Patrol has lost 12 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1955, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1955, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 34. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Ralph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ralph was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Saturdays: 22.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 12 deaths at Iowa State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 3.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Iowa State Patrol has 12 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
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Oran H. Pape
Apr 30, 1936
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Harold Emmerson Klinkefus
May 18, 1949
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Harold Clarence DeGear
Feb 19, 1954
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Ralph Franklin Garthwaite
Jul 2, 1955
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Marvin C. VanderLinden
Jun 11, 1965
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Charles Gerald Whitney
Jun 16, 1985
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Lance G. Dietsch
Jun 30, 1989
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Stanley E. Gerling
Jun 30, 1989
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Allen Patrick Nieland
Oct 14, 1990
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Mark Edward Toney
Sep 20, 2011
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James Kyle Smith
Apr 9, 2021
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Theodore Lawrence Benda
Oct 20, 2021
Where
Military Service
Ralph Franklin Garthwaite served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ralph Franklin Garthwaite’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Iowa State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
