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Incident
Patrolman Earl Bertram succumbed to injuries sustained five years earlier when he was involved in an automobile crash while responding to a burglary call. Another vehicle pulled into the patrol car's path at the intersection of Dixie Highway and Watson Lane, causing a collision. Patrolman Bertram remained in a coma until passing away five years later. Patrolman Bertram was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Jefferson County Police Department for 10 years at the time of the crash. While in the Navy he was an undefeated heavyweight boxer in the Golden Glove competition with a 12-0 record.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Earl is one person.
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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 Bertram gave the Jefferson County Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville 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
Earl J. Bertram served in the U.S. Navy (1945â1947) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jefferson County Police Department has lost 20 officers; 15 of them lost to accidents.
Earl is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Earl is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl 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 1968, 1 officer at Jefferson County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1976, with 2.
In 1968, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Earl was 39. Of the 15 lost to accidents at Jefferson County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 40.5; the middle age was 37. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 39. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 39. 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. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Earl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Jefferson County Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 26.7%.
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 15.5%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 20 deaths at Jefferson County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, 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
Jefferson County Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
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H. Clarence Conner May 22, 1909
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Edward H. Powell May 16, 1916
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Peerless F. Stout
May 3, 1925
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Clarence G. Rapson
Mar 6, 1931
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Fielden Collins
Aug 23, 1932
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Clinton M. Johnston
Jun 15, 1934
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Frank E. Herrmann
Apr 30, 1938
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Walter C. Wise Sep 19, 1946
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Chester W. Korfhage
Apr 3, 1949
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Ezra Sutherland Jun 19, 1950
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Alvin Lee Keown
Nov 8, 1952
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Henry E. St. Clair Apr 5, 1954
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Delmar Whitworth, Sr.
May 24, 1960
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Earl J. Bertram
Aug 18, 1968
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Michael T. Smith
Mar 11, 1976
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Mark Wynnfield Hines
Aug 29, 1976
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Kenneth R. Nally
Nov 6, 1978
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Christopher M. Dunn
Apr 3, 1980
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Jack S. Deuser
Jul 29, 1986
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Franklin Walter Pysher Jr.
Jan 10, 1989
Where
Military Service
Earl J. Bertram served in the U.S. Navy (1945–1947) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl J. Bertram’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 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Jefferson County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
