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Frank Rankin Jr.
Incident
Lieutenant Frank Rankin drowned in the Klamath River as he and an inmate from the Yreka Work Camp, in Siskiyou County, attempted to string an aerial TV antenna across the river.
The two were using a guide rope to pull their boat across the turbulent river. The bow of the boat went under water, which caused the boat to immediately capsize. Lieutenant Rankin and the inmate were both thrown into the water. The inmate was able to swim to shore but Lieutenant Rankin was washed downstream. His body was recovered several weeks later 100 miles downstream of where the boat capsized.
Lieutenant Rankin had served with the California Department of Corrections for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 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.
Lieutenant Rankin gave the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Thank you 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
Frank Rankin Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 42 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank 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 1960, 1 officer at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 2.
In 1960, 5 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1960, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1960, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 41. Of the 7 lost to accidents at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation whose age is recorded, half were between 43.5 and 52; the middle age was 48. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Frank was 41. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 41. 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. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 41. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; September holds the most, 28.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 42 deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 42 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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William Leopold Cotter Jul 27, 1903
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John Drewry
Oct 16, 1914
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Branch Martin Miller Aug 20, 1925
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Charles Bartholemew Gillies Nov 24, 1927
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Ray Tyree Singleton
Nov 24, 1927
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Albert Henry Fiess Apr 13, 1934
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Harry E. Martin Sep 19, 1937
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Clarence Larkin
Sep 24, 1937
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Willard Johnston
Feb 24, 1938
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Vern Adolph Mackin Jan 14, 1952
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Charles Wiget
Jan 14, 1952
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Frank Rankin, Jr.
Jan 30, 1960
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Connie Prock
Jun 26, 1963
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Ralph Canning
Apr 23, 1965
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John V. Mills
Jan 16, 1970
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William C. Shull
Jul 23, 1970
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Robert J. McCarthy
Mar 4, 1971
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Kenneth E. Conant
May 19, 1971
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Leo G Davis
Jul 21, 1971
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Frank P DeLeon
Aug 21, 1971
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Jere Patrick Graham
Aug 21, 1971
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Paul Krasenes
Aug 21, 1971
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Ronald L. Turner
Sep 16, 1971
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Jesus Sanchez
Oct 6, 1972
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Jerry Sanders
Nov 27, 1973
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Richard Ochoa Apr 26, 1976
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Victor A. Sam
Aug 21, 1977
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Albert William Patch
Aug 17, 1980
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Charles Sickles
Apr 1, 1981
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Howell Dean Burchfield
Jun 8, 1985
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Lyle Herman
Jun 29, 1988
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Judith Ann Henkel
Feb 3, 1995
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Paul B. Beridon
Sep 11, 1997
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Mylene G. Zalar
Sep 11, 1997
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Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.
Jan 10, 2005
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Gilbert Cortez
Mar 25, 2013
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Armando Jr Gallegos Jr.
Sep 14, 2018
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Daniel Lopez Mendoza, III
May 30, 2020
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Richard Allan Bianchi
Jun 25, 2020
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Jose Alfredo Diramos Kates
Jul 11, 2020
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Gilbert Polanco
Aug 9, 2020
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Joshua Lemont Byrd
Jul 17, 2025
Where
Military Service
Frank Rankin Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frank Rankin Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
