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Incident
Captain Robert Hansel was killed in an automobile collision while en route to conduct an interview regarding a narcotics investigation. His patrol car struck the back of a coal truck on U.S. 119 in the town of Dione.
Captain Hansel had served with the Lynch Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Harlan Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-8S3F-JKZV-6earlier record number BO-US-KY-11CC7073- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Hansel gave the Lynch Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Lynch community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Hansel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lynch Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 56. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 56. Of the 7,715 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 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 56. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 15.5%.
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 20% of all 5 deaths at Lynch 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 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lynch Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lynch Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
