Incident
Police Officer Jack Palmer was killed in a motorcycle accident while en route to a complaint about a fight at a local baseball game.
His police motorcycle collided with an automobile at the intersection of East Ridge Street and Governor Street. Officer Palmer suffered fatal injuries as a result of the accident.
In 1996 a city street, Palmer Court, was named in his honor.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn7h3qegvth2157570z6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Palmer served with the Ridgefield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ridgefield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Palmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
John is the only officer of Ridgefield Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 4 officers in CT were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
July holds 19.2% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ridgefield Police Department.
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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ridgefield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.