Roll of Honor
Oscar R. Spatch
Incident
Railroad Detective Oscar Spatch was shot and killed in Boyle County, Kentucky, while protecting a train during a worker's strike.
The train was being operated by strike-breakers and had stopped for water approximately one mile north of Junction City. As the engineer filled the train's boiler Detective Spatch was shot by a man from ambush and killed instantly.
The engineer and train's fireman immediately loaded Detective Spatch's body into the engine, decoupled it from the freight cars, and immediately took him to Danville.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-AFE4D136- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Detective Spatch served with the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Spatch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Oscar R. Spatch 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar R. Spatch's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar R. Spatch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar R. Spatch is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar R. Spatch was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Police are honored on badge.nw.
