Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Gary Kidwell was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of John Street and Goshen Road at 11:15 pm. The suspect was known to Patrolman Kidwell to have several drinking-related arrests. As Patrolman Kidwell approached the car, the suspect shot him with a .357 caliber handgun. The man fled but was apprehended after a shootout with a neighboring agency. The man was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2003, in 2012, and in 2020. Patrolman Kidwell had served with the Stanford Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, parents, two brothers, five sisters, and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3BE4922B- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Kidwell gave the Stanford Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Stanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kidwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Gary Elmer Kidwell 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 Stanford Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Elmer Kidwell's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Elmer Kidwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Elmer Kidwell is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Elmer Kidwell was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stanford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
