Kenton County Sheriff's Office

LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend

John 15:13

The Northern Kentucky Police Memorial is located adjacent to the Kenton County Sheriffs Office at the foot of the Suspension Bridge in Covington, Ky. Deceased law enforcement officers from the following counties are represented on the granite memorial -- Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Mason, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson.

These are the officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice:

Clifton F. Arnsparger

Deputy Clifton F. Arnsparger of the Bourbon County Sheriffs Department was shot and killed January 5, 1941. Deputy Arnsparger was pursing an armed robbery when a passing train blocked the road. The suspect leapt from his vehicle and shot Deputy Arnsparger five times before he was able to exit his vehicle. The gunman was later convicted of the murder.

Charles Campbell

Officer Charles Campbell of the Augusta Police Department was killed December 24, 1938 while trying to arrest a drunk and disorderly subject. The man pulled a knife and slashed at the officer, then pulled a pistol and shot Officer Campbell three times. The gunman was convicted and sentenced to "twenty years and one day" for murder.

B. Frank Duncan

Officer B. Frank Duncan, a patrolman with the Latonia Police Department before Covington annexed it, was shot and killed on June 18, 1908 by a saloonkeeper in a saloon after a dispute. All criminal and civil charges against the assailant were dropped when the only witness to the incident could not be located.

James Edgar

Officer James Edgar of the Newport Police Department was shot and killed on Monmouth and Eighth Streets on November 13, 1884. Officer Edgar and his partner discovered a burglary in progress and were attempting to arrest the burglars when a fight ensued. One of the burglars drew a pistol and shot the officer. The gunmen escaped.

Cleophus Eifert

Officer Cleophus Eifert of the Covington Police Department was shot and killed February 8, 1946 while responding to a disturbance at 114 West 4^th Street. Officer Eifert was shot in the neck while climbing a staircase. Before collapsing, the officer fired six shots, striking the gunman in the face and leg. The gunman survived and served seven years in prison for the murder.

 Hubbard Ferguson

Sheriff Ferguson was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious persons call on June 18, 1954. The body of Sheriff Ferguson was discovered in a local creek following his death. The perpetrator was never discovered.

William Clay Frederick

Sergeant William Clay Frederick of the Paris Police Department was walking from court to the Paris Police Department on April 16, 1974. Sergeant Fredericks service weapon malfunctioned and discharged striking the Sergeant in the leg. Sergeant Frederick succumbed to his wound on April 24, 1974.

Daniel Lee Hay

Officer Daniel Lee Hay of the Maysville Police Department was shot and killed on October 16, 1979. Officer Hay and his partner responded to a possible break-in at a market on East Second Street in Maysville. Once inside the market, Officer Hay surprised a burglar who was attempting to open the store safe. The burglar opened fire with a pistol, striking the officer three times, killing him instantly. Officer Hays partner returned fire and a gunfight ensued. The burglar escaped but was later captured.

 John Robert Herron, Sr.

Officer John Robert Herron, Sr., of the Falmouth Police Department was struck and killed by an automobile December 20, 1986 on U.S. 27, north of Falmouth. Officer Herron was directing traffic while assisting a disabled vehicle when the accident occurred. 

Nicholas Hopperton

Independence Town Marshall Nicholas Hopperton was killed in the line of duty on November 8, 1902. Marshall Hopperton had escorted a drunken, disorderly person to the town limits for the purpose of ejecting him. Marshall Hopperton returned a shotgun to the man with the admonition to go home. The subject then shot Marshall Hopperton with the shotgun. Marshall Hopperton was able to wound his killer before dying. 

Anthony Jansen

Officer Anthony Jansen of the Newport Police Department was accidentally shot and killed on December 30, 1984, while responding to a report of trouble in the 700 block of York Street.

Christopher Kolhoven

Sergeant Christopher Kolhoven of the Newport Police Department was shot and killed on July 11, 1917. He was affecting the arrest of three soldiers accused of theft, when a fourth soldier arrived and demanded their release. Upon being advised by Sergeant Kolhoven that he too was under arrest, the fourth soldier fired at and killed the officer. The soldier was tried in federal court and later acquitted, claiming self-defense. 

Benjamin F. Law

Officer Benjamin F. Law of the Covington Police Department was shot five times on December 30, 1924. Officer Law was off duty and responded to a call for help at grocery store at 19^th and Russell that was being held up. The officer died of his wounds on January 5, 1925. The murderer was never caught.

Kenneth Mason McCarty

Deputy Kenneth Mason McCarty of the Bourbon County Sheriffs Department was killed in an automobile accident May 23, 1991. Deputy Mason was responding to an "officer down, needs assistance" call when his vehicle struck a bridge abutment.

William "Mox" McQuery

Patrolman William "Mox" McQuery of the Covington Police Department was shot June 8, 1900 by a mail clerk employed by a St. Louis newspaper, who was fleeing Ludlow after shooting and killing a hobo. Officer McQuery intercepted the assailant as he attempted to flee Covington by a horse drawn streetcar on the Suspension Bridge. Officer McQuery died of his wounds June 12, 1900. His assailant was captured and sentenced to life in prison.

Robert Miller

Trooper Robert Miller of the Kentucky State Police was killed February 14, 1951 in an auto accident. Trooper Miller was enroute to a trouble call in Boone County.

Thomas Anthony Noonan

Officer Thomas Anthony Noonan of the Highland Heights Police Department was killed in an auto accident on Johns Hill Road, September 10, 1988. Officer Noonan was responding to a robbery in progress alarm when the accident occurred.

Robert Preston Palmer

Sergeant Robert Preston Palmer of the Elsmere Police Department was shot September 3, 1990 in an exchange of gunfire with the ex-husband of his wife. A wounded Sergeant Palmer killed the assailant who had already gunned down the officers two and three year old children. Sergeant Palmer died of his wounds September 25, 1990.

Michael A. Partin

Officer Michael Partin of the Covington Police Department died while assisting a fellow officer with a foot pursuit on January 4, 1998. While crossing from the roadway of the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge to the bridge walkway, Officer Partin fell to his death in the Ohio River. After an extensive search, the body of Officer Partin was recovered on May 18, 1998.

Stanley "Tex" Pitakos

Officer Stanley "Tex" Pitakos of the Newport Police Department was shot and killed October 16, 1958 at Fourth and York Streets. A subject that had just robbed a jewelry and loan company shot Officer Pitakos. The gunman was shot and killed by other officers on the scene.

Jule Plummer

Deputy Jule Plummer of the Campbell County Sheriffs Department was transporting a prisoner to Frankfort Penitentiary when a streetcar at the intersection of Fourth and Madison Streets, Covington, on October 27, 1917 struck his vehicle. Deputy Plummer died from injuries sustained in the accident on October 28, 1917.

Neil "Jerry" Regan

Officer Neil "Jerry" Regan of the Covington Police Department was shot and killed on November 11, 1932 at 1542 May Street. Upon arriving at the scene of a man with a gun call with his partner, Officer Regan was shot when he exited his vehicle and died instantly. His partner was shot in the arm but pursued and shot the gunman.

Donald Ronnebaum

Officer Donald Ronnebaum of the Covington Police Department was struck and killed by a tractor trailer on I-75 near Jefferson Avenue July 26, 1968. Officer Ronnebaum was investigating a traffic accident.

Harry Rose

An automobile struck Officer Harry Rose of the Covington Police Department while on motorcycle patrol on November 9, 1938 on Dixie Highway. Officer Rose died of his injuries the following day.

August "Gus" Schoo

Officer August "Gus" Schoo of the Newport Police Department was shot and killed on the sidewalk in front of 328 Washington on June 6, 1930. A prohibition agent who had turned to a life of crime killed the officer. The gunman was later killed trying to rob a bank in Illinois.

Nimrod Showalter

Chief Nimrod Showalter of the Brooksville Police Department was shot and killed June 14, 1918 by an assailant he had previously arrested who was released on bond pending a hearing. The gunman killed Chief Showalter after the Chief ordered him to stop his horse and buggy as he drove around town looking for Chief Showalter brandishing a shotgun.

Anthony Siemon

Officer Anthony Siemon of the Newport Police Department was stabbed March 29, 1924. In the course of arresting an individual for fighting, the officer was stabbed by a second individual who had come to the arrestees aid. Officer Siemon wounded his assailant with his service revolver, and both men were taken into custody. Officer Siemon succumbed to his wound after 23 days. Both suspects were found guilty in a subsequent trial.

David Rogers

Officer David Rogers of the Covington Police Department was killed May 13, 1923 while on motorcycle patrol. Officer Rogers died after wrecking his motorcycle at 26^th and Madison chasing a speeding automobile.

James Smith

Chief James Smith of the Falmouth Police Department was shot and killed on October 10, 1943 responding to a domestic dispute between a husband and wife. The husband met Chief Smith on the sidewalk carrying a shotgun and shot him in the chest when the Chief reached for the muzzle of the weapon. After two trials, the gunman was acquitted with a jury finding he had acted in self-defense.

John T. Thompson

Covington City Marshall John T. Thompson was fatally shot on February 5, 1869. Marshall Thompson was shot as he attempted to arrest a person fitting the description of a highwayman who had robbed a man on the Lexington Turnpike. The incident occurred in front of the tollhouse on the Suspension Bridge when the man pulled a pistol. Thompson died of his wounds on February 28, 1869. The murderer was never caught.

William Tressler

Constable William Tressler of the Ft. Thomas District was ambushed and shot by three men on September 17, 1928 while investigating a robbery on Second Pooles Creek Road, Campbell County. Constable Tressler died on September 20, 1928 of his wounds. Two of the three assailants died during a shootout with police in Indiana. The third assailant was apprehended and received a life sentence.

Billy Franklin Wood

Assistant Chief Billy Franklin Wood of the Williamstown Police Department was killed in an automobile accident on August 8, 1972. The officer was in pursuit of a vehicle at a high rate of speed when his vehicle left the roadway. No one involved in the incident was prosecuted.