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Incident
Officer John Springer died after he fell from a railroad bridge while on patrol. Officers Springer and Coyle were on patrol at the Union depot, when Officer Springer left the depot to check the Monon Railroad crossing of the Big Four tracks at 1:00 am. Approximately an hour later, when Officer Springer had not returned to the depot, Officer Coyle blew his patrol whistle to try to contact Officer Springer with no success. When Officer Coyle and Captain Rinard went to look for Officer Springer, he was found at 2:30 am near the Monon rail bridge were it appeared he had fallen from the bridge and died from a crushed skull. Officer Springer had served with the agency for four years.
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
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Springer gave the Lafayette Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lafayette Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1893, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1893, 10 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1893, 23 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 126th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Lafayette 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
Lafayette Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lafayette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
