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Incident
Patrolman Clarence Rapson was killed in a motorcycle accident while on patrol on Hikes Lane between Hikes Point and Bardstown Road. His motorcycle skidded on gravel and then fell on him, causing serious head injuries. Patrolman Rapson had served with the Jefferson County Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, two stepsons, three brothers, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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 Rapson gave the Jefferson County Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rapson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jefferson County Police Department has lost 20 officers; 15 of them lost to accidents.
Clarence is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence 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 1931, 1 officer at Jefferson County Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1976, with 2.
In 1931, 6 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Clarence was 50. Of the 15 lost to accidents at Jefferson County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 40.5; the middle age was 37. Clarence had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 50. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Clarence had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 50. 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. Clarence had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 50. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Clarence had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 13.3% of these deaths at Jefferson County Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 13.3%.
March holds 5.6% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Fridays: 16.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 20 deaths at Jefferson County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, 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
Jefferson County Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
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H. Clarence Conner May 22, 1909
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Edward H. Powell May 16, 1916
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Peerless F. Stout
May 3, 1925
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Clarence G. Rapson
Mar 6, 1931
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Fielden Collins
Aug 23, 1932
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Clinton M. Johnston
Jun 15, 1934
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Frank E. Herrmann
Apr 30, 1938
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Walter C. Wise Sep 19, 1946
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Chester W. Korfhage
Apr 3, 1949
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Ezra Sutherland Jun 19, 1950
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Alvin Lee Keown
Nov 8, 1952
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Henry E. St. Clair Apr 5, 1954
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Delmar Whitworth, Sr.
May 24, 1960
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Earl J. Bertram
Aug 18, 1968
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Michael T. Smith
Mar 11, 1976
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Mark Wynnfield Hines
Aug 29, 1976
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Kenneth R. Nally
Nov 6, 1978
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Christopher M. Dunn
Apr 3, 1980
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Jack S. Deuser
Jul 29, 1986
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Franklin Walter Pysher Jr.
Jan 10, 1989
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Jefferson County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
