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Incident
Chief Robert Kappenburg succumbed to injuries sustained 19 days earlier when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic on Main Street. On Tuesday, September 19, 1916, he was directing traffic on Main Street near Bissell Street when he tried to divert a motorist driving on the wrong side of Main Street. While trying to redirect the errant vehicle, he was struck in the back by a second car. Chief Kappenberg was taken to Hartford Hospital where he died on Sunday, October 8, 1916. Chief Kappenberg had served with the East Hartford Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Kappenburg gave the East Hartford Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Kappenburg.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
East Hartford Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 2 officers in CT were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 4.
In 1916, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1916, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 62. Of the 63 lost to accidents in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 62. 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. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 62. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 12.3% of these deaths in CT; July holds the most, 19.2%. Sundays: 16.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at East Hartford Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 43.2% of all 169 deaths in CT, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
East Hartford Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from East Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
