Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Ralph White was shot and killed while chasing a burglar. Detective White and his partner noticed a suspicious vehicle in front of a service station and stopped to investigate. As the car attempted to leave the officers stopped it. While approaching the car they noticed another man attempting to hide behind the service station counter. Detective White went to the rear of the store to prevent the burglar from escaping. His partner then heard two shots and looked up to see Detective White fall as he was chasing the man from the back of the store. During the pursuit, they exchanged shots, with Detective White being shot once in the chest and the suspect being shot once in the leg. Detective White was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was arrested later at a hospital when he came to seek treatment for his gunshot wound. On April 5, 1954, the 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 75 years in prison. He was paroled on November 2, 1967. Detective White had been with the Lubbock Police Department for four years and had just been assigned to the detective bureau.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A7B91E34- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ralph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective White gave the Lubbock Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lubbock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Ralph Clayton White 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lubbock Police Department, 4 of 8 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. Ralph Clayton White's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph Clayton White Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph Clayton White is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph Clayton White was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Lubbock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
