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Incident
Patrolman Jack Rainier was shot and killed by one of two men as he investigated their presence on a used car lot shortly after midnight. He was found with the driver's license of one of the suspects in his hand. One of the suspects was arrested a short time later at the Henderson bus station. Later in the day the other suspect was captured near Jonesboro, Arkansas, in a stolen truck. Both suspects, ages 18 and 19, were wanted in Fort Branch, Indiana, where they robbed a filling station and shot at state police as they ran through a road block the previous night. The 19-year-old gunman was sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. Patrolman Rainier was a Korean War veteran.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtppdzsf6kce13n237bhe- 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 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 Rainier served with the Henderson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Henderson community, 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
Jack William Rainier Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henderson Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jack is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jack 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, 4 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
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
Jack was 24. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Jack was 24. 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.
Jack was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 10.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Henderson Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Henderson Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jack among them.
Military Service
Jack William Rainier Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jack William Rainier Sr.’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
1 officer from Henderson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.