Prev
Incident
Policeman Blucher Soyars and Special Agent Frank Mather, of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, were accidentally shot and killed during a case of mistaken identity. Agent Mather and several other agents had gone to Russellville to arrest liquor violators at the county fair and had not informed local authorities they were there. The agents had taken several prisoners and were holding them in a cabin when several local officers, including Policeman Soyars, went to the cabin to investigate the activity. When the two groups of officers encountered each other there was a misunderstanding and Agent Mather attempted to move towards the door. As he did so someone opened fire and both Policeman Soyars and Agent Mather were shot and killed.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtprnhtcys67e550gn0qy- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Blucher. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Soyars served with the Russellville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Russellville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Soyars.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Russellville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Blucher is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Blucher is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Blucher 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 1932, 2 officers in KY were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; April holds the most, 13.7%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Russellville Police Department, the most common cause.
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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Russellville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Blucher among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Russellville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
