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Incident
Officer Michael Partin drowned after falling almost 90 feet through a gap in the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge into the Ohio River at approximately 2:30 am. Officer Partin was joining a foot chase for a man wanted for DUI, possession of marijuana, and running a red light. Officers on the scene searched the river by air and boat for Officer Partin's body but were unable to locate it. His body was found on May 18, 1998, eleven miles downstream from where he fell into the river. The suspect was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in connection with Officer Partin's death and was sentenced to 6 years in prison. He was released after serving two years. Officer Partin had served with the Covington Police Department for 2 years. He is survived by his wife and child. The road behind the Covington Police Department was renamed Michael Partin Court in his honor. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Kenton County, KY.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
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.
Officer Partin gave the Covington Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Covington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Partin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Covington Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1998, 1 officer in KY was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 25. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 25. 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. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 15.5%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Covington Police Department, the 2nd 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
Covington Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Covington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
