Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Missouri
End of Watch: Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 9 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 1140

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Convicted or murder

Trooper Ralph Tatoian was killed when his patrol car struck the back of a truck on I-44, west of St. Louis, Missouri, at approximately 0430 hours.

The trooper was responding to search for a person suspected of shooting a sheriff's deputy in Gasconade County. Trooper Tatoian's patrol car slammed into the back of the tractor trailer, which was pulled partially off of the highway to assist with a previous accident.

The suspect who had shot the sheriff's deputy was convicted of second degree murder in connection with Trooper Tatoian's death.

Trooper Tatoian had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 9.5 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.