Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Tarpy succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier when he and several officers attempted to arrest a man suspected of being involved in several burglaries.
When the officers arrived at the man's home, the suspect let them in. Chief Tarpy told the man to relinquish his handgun. The man opened fire, striking Chief Tarpy in the abdomen. As one of the officers began to struggle with the suspect, the wounded chief returned fire, killing the man.
The chief was taken to his home where he remained in very serious condition until succumbing to his wounds.
Chief Tarpy had served with the Winchester Police Department for 12 years.
When the officers arrived at the man's home, the suspect let them in. Chief Tarpy told the man to relinquish his handgun. The man opened fire, striking Chief Tarpy in the abdomen. As one of the officers began to struggle with the suspect, the wounded chief returned fire, killing the man.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1EE65296- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Tarpy gave the Winchester Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Tarpy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Jon C. Tarpy is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Winchester Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jon C. Tarpy's cause is highlighted.
How Jon C. Tarpy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jon C. Tarpy is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jon C. Tarpy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Winchester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
