Patrolman

John Gruber

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Felonious
End of Watch January 27, 1930
Age 65
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Gruber died as a result of injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck by a drunk driver near the intersection of 41st Street and Market Street. He was investigating an automobile accident when he was struck by a vehicle while standing near his patrol car. He was taken to City Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. The suspect was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was indicted by a grand jury on March 25, 1930. Patrolman Gruber served with the Louisville Police Department for 15 years.

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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 Gruber gave the Louisville Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gruber.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 27, 1930
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 65
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 65. 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. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman John Gruber

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch January 27, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E

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