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Incident
Patrolman Cleophus Eifert was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance on the third floor of a rooming house at 114 W. 4th Street. Patrolman Eifert was shot in the chest while climbing a staircase. Before collapsing, the officer fired six shots, striking the gunman in the leg. The gunman survived and served seven years in prison for the murder. Patrolman Eifert was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, and siblings. His son went on to join the Covington Police Department and retired as a police captain there. Patrolman Eifert's grandson also joined the department and finished his career there as a sergeant. His great-grandson similarly joined the department, served as the president of the Covington Fraternal Order of Police until 2009 and continues to serve the department. The department established has established the Cleophus John Eifert Award, which may be bestowed upon agency officers who suffer severe wounds or injury in the performance of their duties.
Survivors
Patrolman Eifert was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Eifert gave the Covington Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Eifert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Covington Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Cleophus is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Cleophus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cleophus is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 1 officer at Covington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1946, 6 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cleophus was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Covington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 45; the middle age was 39. Cleophus had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Cleophus was 39. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Cleophus had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Cleophus was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cleophus had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cleophus was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cleophus had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 40% of these deaths at Covington Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
February holds 6% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Fridays: 12.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Covington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Covington Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Cleophus among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Covington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
