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Incident
Special Agent Ray Daugherty died after being struck by a light switch engine and knocked from a bridge in Columbus, Nebraska. During WWI following numerous threats and some bombings, the Chief Special Agent of the railroad police assigned a large number of agents to bridge guard duty. They were to run across bridges behind passenger trains to make sure no one threw a bomb off while crossing the bridge. Special Agent Daugherty was working the Loup River bridge at Columbus, Nebraska when he was following a train across the bridge and was struck by the switch engine and knocked from the bridge. Special Agent Daugherty had served with the agency for only four days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
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.
Special Agent Daugherty served with the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Daugherty.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 21 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
Ray is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 remembered there.
Ray is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray 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 1917, 1 officer at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1917, 2 officers in NE were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1917, 41 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 107th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1917, 51 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ray was 24. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.8 and 37.3; the middle age was 31. Ray had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 0.6 years.
Ray was 24. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40. Ray had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ray was 24. 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. Ray had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ray had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 12.5% of these deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 25%.
November holds 5.6% of these deaths in NE; January holds the most, 13.9%. Mondays: 19.4%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.1% of all 21 deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, 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
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
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Henry Vincents
Aug 19, 1878
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William E. Ransom
Jan 29, 1894
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William C. Downing Jan 29, 1901
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Thomas Gentleman Jan 8, 1904
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Theodore Franklin Wiser Sep 10, 1904
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Edward Scott Mar 28, 1910
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William Floyd Aug 4, 1910
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Lloyd James Spaur
Aug 4, 1912
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George Shindle
Jul 3, 1916
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Ray Watson Daugherty
Nov 19, 1917
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George R. Stewart Jul 27, 1918
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Jess L. Sitton Mar 4, 1922
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William Ford Sherman
Aug 31, 1927
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Eldon L. Smith Aug 4, 1932
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Norman G. Fowler Aug 29, 1932
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Ralph Ransom Taylor
Oct 14, 1933
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Gerald A. Schuett
Dec 22, 1968
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Dean L. McLaughlin Apr 6, 1977
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Larry Eugene Boles
Jul 9, 1977
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Kevin Patrick Hogan Jan 18, 1991
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Aaron Garcia
May 7, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
