William Kelly Burge
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Kelly Burge

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Accident
End of Watch September 25, 1940
Age 37
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
The Vigil Panel 77 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Burge was killed in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Taylor Boulevard and Oleanda Avenue while on patrol at approximately 3:15 pm. It is believed that Patrolman Burge failed to kick up his kick-stand, which then caught in the street and caused the accident. Patrolman Burge had served with the Louisville Police Department for 13 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Burge gave the Louisville Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burge.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 25, 1940
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1940, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 37. 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. William had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Kelly Burge

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch September 25, 1940

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E

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