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Incident
Patrolman Otto Welch was killed when his police motorcycle struck the rear of a vehicle which came to a sudden stop. He was thrown from the motorcycle upon impact and killed instantly.
Patrolman Welch had served with the New Albany Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Welch gave the New Albany Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Welch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Albany Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Otto is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Otto is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otto 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 1922, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1922, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1922, 101 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Otto was 34. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Otto had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Otto 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. Otto had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otto was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Otto had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Fridays: 17.9%.
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 50% of all 2 deaths at New Albany Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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
New Albany Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Otto among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Albany Police Department are honored on badge.nw.