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Incident
Police Officer Kenneth Lester succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile crash on February 17th, 1995, while responding to an alarm call.
He was responding to the call with his lights activated but no siren. As he approached the intersection of South 8th Street and South H Street a tractor-trailer that was driving in the left lane moved to the right lane. As Officer Lester overtook the tractor-trailer, it suddenly attempted to make a left turn in front of him. His patrol car became stuck underneath the trailer, causing him to suffer debilitating head and internal injuries.
Officer Lester required around-the-clock care for the next 25 years. He passed away from complications of the original injuries on February 10th, 2020.
Officer Lester had served with the Richmond Police Department for 16 years at the time of his crash.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two sisters.
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.
Police Officer Lester gave the Richmond Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Richmond Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Kenneth is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth 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 2020, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2020, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2020, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kenneth was 62. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Kenneth was 62. 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. Kenneth had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 62. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 13.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Richmond Police Department, the 2nd 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
Richmond Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
