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Incident
Traffic Officer Ralph Rutherford was killed when his motorcycle struck another vehicle on East 3rd Street.
He was riding the same police motorcycle that would later be ridden by Officer Paul Jowell in another fatal accident.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Traffic Officer Rutherford served with the Hereford Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hereford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Traffic Officer Rutherford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hereford Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ralph is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 1927, 10 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1927, 119 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
March holds 5.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Hereford Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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
Hereford Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hereford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
