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Incident
Chief Philpot was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 12 while he and another officer travelled to Lewis-Clark State College to attend a federal certification test. Chief Philpot's patrol car was struck by another vehicle and crashed. Chief Philpot had been in law enforcement for 30 years and had served as chief for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Philpot gave the Orofino Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Orofino community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Philpot.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of Orofino Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 21 officers lost to accidents in ID, 29.2% of the 72 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer in ID was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1971, 79 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1971, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 61. Of the 19 lost to accidents in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 58; the middle age was 49. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 61. 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. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 61. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 4.8% of these deaths in ID; May holds the most, 23.8%. Fridays: 9.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Orofino Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 72 deaths in ID, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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