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Incident
Officer Danny Vanderpool was killed while working undercover in a motorcycle accident. Officer Vanderpool had been loaned to the Edmond Police Department to pose as a high school student, working as an undercover narcotics officer. On the morning of Friday, May 18, 1979, Vanderpool was involved in a traffic accident two miles west of Highway 77, west of Guthrie. He lost control of his motorcycle at a speed near 70 miles per hour and was thrown 125 feet. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a Guthrie hospital. The previous December, thirty-nine people had been arrested for sixty-three separate violations based upon his evidence. Officer Vanderpool had served with the Moore Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and mother.
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.
Officer Vanderpool gave the Moore Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Moore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Vanderpool.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Danny is the only officer of Moore Police Department remembered here.
Danny is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Danny is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Danny 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 1979, 1 officer in OK was lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Danny was 20. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38. Danny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Danny was 20. 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. Danny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Danny was 20. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Danny had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in OK; March holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 12.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Moore Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Moore Police Department are honored on badge.nw.