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Incident
Chief Ralph Painter was shot and killed after responding to a local car stereo shop on Rock Crest Street in which a man was attempting to take a car that did not belong to him.
When Chief Painter made contact with the man a struggle ensued. The subject was able to disarm and fatally shoot him. The man then exchanged shots with responding officers before being wounded and taken into custody.
The subject pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in March 2019 and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
On April 13th, 2019, the subject's half-brother fatally shot Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office near Kalama, Washington.
Chief Painter had served with the Rainier Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and seven children.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Painter gave the Rainier Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Rainier community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Painter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ralph is the only officer of Rainier Police Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 3 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 55. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Ralph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Ralph was 55. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 4.3% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rainier Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Rainier Police Department are honored on badge.nw.