Bio & Incident Details
Age: 47
Tour: 23 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 12/30/1969
Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect: Both shot and wounded
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Detective James Ratliff and Officer Donald Gaskin were shot and killed when they responded to a robbery call at a local grocery store.
Two suspects were inside the store when Officer Gaskin arrived at the scene. The suspect ordered the store clerk to open the door, and as Officer Gaskin entered, he was shot by the suspect.
Detective Ratliff and his partner arrived just as Officer Gaskin was shot. As the detectives ran for cover, another shot was fired and struck Detective Ratliff.
During an ensuing shootout, two other officers and the two suspects were wounded.
Officer Gaskin succumbed to his wounds before reaching the hospital. Detective Ratliff succumbed to his injuries approximately five hours later during surgery.
Detective Ratliff had been a member of the Louisville Police Department for 23 years, and is survived by his wife and son.
Related Line of Duty Deaths
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Police Officer Donald W. Gaskin |
