Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch Thursday, July 11, 1918
Add to My HeroesLester M. Kidwell
Officer Lester Kidwell died when he fell through a skylight while investigating suspicious activity near his home on Neal Street.
He had just reported off duty at approximately midnight and arrived home at 1:00 am. He heard a dog barking, and went to investigate due to a recent rash of thefts from the area. He climbed onto the roof of a shed in the backyard of 1161 Neal Street, NE, but slipped through the skylight and suffered a deep cut to his jugular.
Despite the injury he was able to make it to a call box at Montello Avenue and Otis Place and requested assistance. He was able to tell responding officers what happened just before losing consciousness. A witness told officers she saw the suspected thief run through the alley behind the home just before Officer Kidwell fell.
Officer Kidwell had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven months. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Laurel, Maryland.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 7 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Fall
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 11, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023

Special Agent Robert C. Castioni, Jr.
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: July 24, 2023