Patrolman Donald E. Ronnebaum, Covington Police Department, Kentucky

Patrolman Donald E. Ronnebaum

Covington Police Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Friday, July 26, 1968

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Donald E. Ronnebaum

Patrolman Donald Ronnebaum was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while assisting at the scene of an accident on Interstate 75 near Covington.

Heavy rains for two days caused traffic jams and multiple accidents on the rain-slicked road. Patrolman Ronnebaum was directing traffic at the scene of another accident when a tractor-trailer attempted to brake when he came upon the slowed-down vehicles. The tractor-trailer jackknifed, and six vehicles were involved in the pile-up. Patrolman Ronnebaum was crushed against a guardrail.

Patrolman Ronnebaum was a United States Navy World War II veteran and had served with the Covington Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

He is buried at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Taylor Mill, Kenton County, Kentucky.

Bio

Age 40
Tour 11 years
Badge 47
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle

accident scene, weather

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I work with Don Ronnebaum and he is the son of the fallen officer. He is in his 70s and he told me about his father today and how he died. It saddened me to hear this story. Also it saddened me about the fact that his life insurance did not get paid out to the family when that happened and that Don said his mom ended up losing hers husband's pension so she ended up selling there home. I want to thank him for his service but Don the son did not like the city of covington or did not want nothing to do with that city after his father was killed in the line of duty after theu did not receive death benefits. I want to say thank you for your service. Your not forgotten patrol officer Don Ronnebaum

SSG Fortner
Friend of a family member

May 22, 2023