Roscoe C. Shipp
Agency patch
Motorcycle Policeman

Roscoe C. Shipp

Indianapolis Police Department — Indianapolis, IN
Accident
End of Watch July 24, 1929
Age 34
Tour of Duty 8 mo
The Vigil Panel 57 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Motorcycle Policeman Roscoe Shipp was killed in a motorcycle accident while chasing a traffic violator on North Delaware Street. Policeman Shipp's motorcycle struck the front wheel of an automobile going in the opposite direction while he was chasing the speeding vehicle. Policeman Shipp had attempted to pull alongside the offending vehicle when the accident occurred. The speeding vehicle was never apprehended. Policeman Shipp was transported to a local hospital, but died from his injuries following the amputation of his mangled left leg. Policeman Shipp had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for only eight months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two brothers and four sisters.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Motorcycle Policeman Shipp served with the Indianapolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Motorcycle Policeman Shipp.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Indianapolis, Marion County, IN
Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 24, 1929
Tour of Duty 8 mo
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

Roscoe is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Roscoe 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. Roscoe had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indianapolis Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, Roscoe among them.

Across the years

Motorcycle Policeman Roscoe C. Shipp

Indianapolis Police Department · End of Watch July 24, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W

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