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Clifton Travis Cypher
Incident
Patrolman Clifton Cypher died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident at 11:40 p.m. while pursuing a speeder on the Bronx River Parkway at Butler Road, Scarsdale. His motorcycle was struck by a car driving in the opposite direction. The 17-year-old driver who struck Patrolman Cypher and was operating the vehicle without a license was arrested pending an investigation. Patrolman Cypher, who served as a guard at Sing Sing Prison before joining the police department, was buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons (one of whom went on to become a Westchester County Parkway police officer), and by his father and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Cypher served with the Westchester County Parkway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hawthorne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cypher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Westchester County Parkway Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Clifton is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer at Westchester County Parkway Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 24 officers in NY were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Clifton was 32. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Westchester County Parkway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 37; the middle age was 35.
Clifton was 32. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
Clifton was 32. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Clifton was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Westchester County Parkway Police Department; October holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 20%.
July holds 10% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Westchester County Parkway Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Westchester County Parkway Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Clifton among them.
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Raymond Tehan
Oct 1, 1925
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John Patrick Murphy Nov 18, 1928
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George Segnit
Sep 21, 1929
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Clifton Travis Cypher
Jul 14, 1930
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Michael Erdley
Mar 30, 1933
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Manuel Borgos
Jun 23, 1938
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Reuben Conklin
Aug 8, 1943
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John Chabala, Jr.
Oct 3, 1948
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George Ruthven
Jul 5, 1954
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Francis Bradley
Aug 16, 1960
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James Groark
Aug 22, 1966
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John Gonda
Dec 20, 1969
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Westchester County Parkway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
