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Incident
Patrolman James Rodine was accidentally shot and killed when his gun fell and discharged. He was working as a dispatcher at the time and had brought the new gun in to show his fellow officers. He accidentally dropped the weapon and it discharged when it struck the desk. The round struck him in the chest, fatally wounding him. Patrolman Rodine had served with the Des Moines Police Department for four years.
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.
Patrolman Rodine gave the Des Moines Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rodine.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Des Moines Police Department has lost 27 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1968, 1 officer at Des Moines Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1968, 2 officers in IA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 27. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Des Moines Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 47; the middle age was 35. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 27. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 27. 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. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 28.6% of these deaths at Des Moines Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
August holds 12.7% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25.9% of all 27 deaths at Des Moines Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, 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.
His people
Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Edward H. Wishart Jul 1, 1891
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Augustus C. Becker
Feb 19, 1904
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Frank Delmege
Sep 20, 1909
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George William Mattern
Apr 12, 1918
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Charles Chester Jackson
Dec 16, 1918
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Cornelius J. McCarthy
Sep 27, 1919
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Ollie D. Thomas
Aug 20, 1925
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Gerald D. Pickett
Sep 24, 1925
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James A. Staggs
Apr 20, 1928
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Harry Ogilvie
Jul 12, 1930
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Rupert L. Shepherd
Aug 1, 1930
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James Joshua Cowart
Dec 7, 1931
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Harry Linn Booton
Dec 11, 1932
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Steven Tabor Howard
Mar 2, 1935
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George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
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Charles Thomas Andreano
Jul 30, 1964
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James Emery Rodine
Aug 13, 1968
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Brian Charles Melton
Apr 21, 1977
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Dennis Earl Hill
Aug 28, 1977
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Sean Wissink
Feb 11, 2007
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Roger Ray Hildreth
Feb 21, 2008
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David Allen Bowen
Sep 29, 2008
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Susan Louise Farrell
Mar 26, 2016
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Carlos Bernabe Puente-Morales
Mar 26, 2016
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Anthony David Beminio
Nov 2, 2016
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Joseph Morgan
Sep 16, 2020
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Phoukham Tran
Nov 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
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