Patrolman Arthur Joe Lavender, Jr.

Arthur Joe Lavender, Jr.

Patrolman Arthur Lavender was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at Magoffin Avenue, near Brown Street.

He had just finished his shift and was heading home, driving in the middle lane of a one-way street. A car driving next to him made a sudden left-hand turn from the right lane, striking Patrolman Lavender's motorcycle. The motorcycle skidded 94 feet east after the impact, flipped over three times, struck the north curb of Magoffin and then slid into a parked car. When the motorcycle finally came to rest, it lay on top of the police officer.

The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the other vehicle was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with murder with a motor vehicle.


Patrolman Lavender had served with the agency for 13 years and had previously served with the United States Marine Corps in the Korean War. His brother was a police officer with the traffic division. He is by his wife, five children, sister, brother, and grandmother.