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Incident
Lieutenant Ralph Bentley was struck and killed by a truck while working an accident scene on US Highway 78, at mile post 181. No charges were filed against the truck driver. Lieutenant Bentley had served with the Heflin Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Lieutenant Bentley gave the Heflin Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Heflin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Bentley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ralph is the only officer of Heflin Police Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 1982, 2 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 1982, 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 1982, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 36. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ralph was 36. 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. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.2% of these deaths in AL, more than any other month. Saturdays: 21.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Heflin Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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