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Incident
Location: Georgia Incident Date: Thursday, May 27, 1954
Chief of Police Ralph Wolfe succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile accident six days earlier in Jesup, Georgia while transporting a prisoner.
Chief Wolfe and a Smyth County deputy were returning the prisoner from Miami, Florida, to Smyth County, Virginia, when the crash curred on US Route 301. Their vehicle went out of control on the rain-slicked pavement and crashed.
All three men were transported to Leaphart Hospital, where Chief Wolfe remained until his death.
Chief Wolfe had served with the Marion Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and brother.
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.
Chief of Police Wolfe gave the Marion Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wolfe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ralph is the only officer of Marion Police Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 203 officers lost to accidents in VA, 31.1% of the 653 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 1954, 2 officers in VA were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1870, with 10.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 53. Of the 192 lost to accidents in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 53. 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. Ralph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 53. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 12.8%. Wednesdays: 15.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Marion Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.1% of all 653 deaths in VA, 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 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Marion Police Department are honored on badge.nw.