Butler County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch Friday, February 13, 1931
Add to My HeroesRudolph Virchow Phelps
Special Deputy Sheriff Rudolph Phelps was killed in a vehicle crash on Route 71 (modern-day Route 231) two miles south of Morgantown.
He was traveling with another sheriff's deputy and the former county sheriff from Margontown to Leetown to conduct a tax-sale. The former sheriff attempted to pass a large truck but was crowded off the road and entered a ditch. Special Deputy Sheriff Phelps suffered a broken back and died two hours later. The other deputy and the former sheriff were both injured.
Special Deputy Sheriff Phelps was survived by his wife and three young children.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Automobile crash
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsI am so grateful to my brother, Steve, for researching our family tree. In doing so, he has brought our Granddad to life. We know so little about Granddad but what we do know makes me wish that he had lived to see his children grow and to be part of our lives as well. Granddad, may you rest in peace and the perpetual light of the love of Our Lord shine upon you.
Anna-Marie Phelps
Granddaughter
March 29, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026



