Ralph Garthwaite
1955
Ralph Franklin Garthwaite.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
What Happened
Patrolman Ralph Garthwaite was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 30 two miles north of Woodbine. The incident occurred on a bridge as Patrolman Garhwaite travelled northbound towards Dunlap, Iowa. The subject, who refused to take a blood test, was charged with manslaughter. A jury found him innocent on November 30th, 1956. Patrolman Garthwaite was a United States Army WWII veteran and had served with the Iowa State Patrol for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Service Record
Also Served
Iowa State Patrol
Patrolman
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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