Patrolman
James Curtis Ratliff
Lawrenceburg Police Department
Tuesday, February 7, 1961
Age: 52
Served: 20 years
Panel 64E, Line 9
Panel L21, Line 1

Incident Details

Cause of Death
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident
Tuesday, February 7, 1961
03:25 pm
Incident to Death Duration
Same day
Incident Location
800 block of West Eads Parkway (U.S. 50), Lawrenceburg
Incident County
Dearborn
Incident Township
Lawrenceburg
Weapon Used
.32-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition
Died in prison
Burial Place
Greendale Cemetery, Greendale
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   Patrolman James Ratliff was shot and killed while at the scene of a domestic disturbance at the Wilson Oil Company.

   As Patrolman Ratliff approached an occupied vehicle at the business, a male subject opened fire with a handgun, striking him. Patrolman Ratliff was pronounced dead on arrival at Dearborn County Hospital.

   The 32-year-old suspect was charged with first-degree murder. He was subsequently convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison where he died while incarcerated in 1979.

   Patrolman Ratliff was survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, parents and four brothers.

Military Service


United States Marine Corps
Private (PVT) ▪ 1929–1935



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