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David George Whitson
Incident
Master Police Officer David Whitson was shot and killed after he and two other officers responded to a call of a man brandishing a knife on Vine Street.
When MPO Whitson arrived at the scene he became engaged in a struggle with the suspect, who was armed with two knives. The other officers, in an attempt to rescue MPO Whitson, used deadly force against the suspect. MPO Whitson and the suspect both suffered fatal gunshot wounds during the altercation.
MPO Whitson had served with the Bowling Green Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Master Police Officer Whitson gave the Bowling Green Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bowling Green community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Police Officer Whitson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
David is the only officer of Bowling Green Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 2006, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 2006, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2006, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 34. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. David had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 34. 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. David had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 8 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%. Tuesdays: 13%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bowling Green Police Department.
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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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