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Incident
Officer Starry was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol. Officer Starry and a Law Enforcement Explorer ride-along were responding to an emergency call when the squad car was struck from behind by a semi-truck. Both Vehicles burst into flames. It took emergency workers two hours to put the fire out. Officer Starry, the explorer, and the truck driver were all killed in the accident.
Officer Starry had served with the Viroqua Police Department for three years.
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Starry gave the Viroqua Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Viroqua community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Starry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Curtis is the only officer of Viroqua Police Department remembered here.
Curtis is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Curtis 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 1953, 3 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Curtis was 30. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. Curtis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Curtis was 30. 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. Curtis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Curtis was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Curtis had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 4.8% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Fridays: 12%.
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 100% of all 1 deaths at Viroqua Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.3% of all 318 deaths in WI, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Viroqua Police Department are honored on badge.nw.