Iowa State Patrol, Iowa
End of Watch Saturday, July 2, 1955
Add to My HeroesRalph Franklin Garthwaite
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 was charged with manslaughter. A jury found him innocent November 30th, 1956.
Patrolman Garthwaite had served with the Iowa State Patrol for three years.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 218
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsI’m sure that if we applied the current 21st Century's standards, the suspect would now be found guilty of at least vehicular homicide. Before the 1990s (IMO), drunk driving was almost looked upon, at most, as an aggravated misdemeanor. Thankfully we’ve since as a society evolved.
Michael Redenius
Former RPDO, Parkersburg, IA
April 11, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025