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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1B00F9D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Jack William Rainier, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Henderson Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jack William Rainier, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Jack William Rainier, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jack William Rainier, Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jack William Rainier, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Henderson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.