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Incident
Chief Tarpy succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier when he and several officers attempted to arrest a man suspected of being involved in several burglaries.
When the officers arrived at the man's home, the suspect let them in. Chief Tarpy told the man to relinquish his handgun. The man opened fire, striking Chief Tarpy in the abdomen. As one of the officers began to struggle with the suspect, the wounded chief returned fire, killing the man.
The chief was taken to his home where he remained in very serious condition until succumbing to his wounds.
Chief Tarpy had served with the Winchester Police Department for 12 years.
When the officers arrived at the man's home, the suspect let them in. Chief Tarpy told the man to relinquish his handgun. The man opened fire, striking Chief Tarpy in the abdomen. As one of the officers began to struggle with the suspect, the wounded chief returned fire, killing the man.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Tarpy gave the Winchester Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winchester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Tarpy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Winchester Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jon is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Jon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1907, 10 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jon had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Winchester Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Winchester Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jon among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Winchester Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
