Memorial to Claude O. Rupe

End of Watch: October 14, 1928
Rank: Officer, Badge No. N/A
Years of Service: 4 years, 11 months
Age: 27
Location of Death: 300 block of Maryland Avenue, SW

Circumstance:

Officer Rupe was on motorcycle duty when the bike skidded on wet pavement, throwing him. Officer Rupe died of head trauma.  Officer Rupe and Officer F.M. Doyle, both died in the 300 block of Maryland Avenue, SW.

Biography:

Officer Rupe was assigned to the Sixth Precinct and served with the Metropolitan Police Department for four years and eleven months. He was survived by his wife, Sybil Rupe, and an infant son

Articles from the Washington Post – transcribed by Dave Richardson, MPD/Ret.
THE DEATH OF CLAUDE O. RUPE
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED OCTOBER 15, 1928, PAGE 18
POLICEMAN IS DEAD OF TRAFFIC HURTS.
C.O. RUPE SUCCUMBS AFTER OPERATION PERFORMED AT EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.
Motorcycle Policeman Claude O. Rupe, of the Sixth Precinct, died at Emergency Hospital yesterday afternoon, following an operation Saturday for a compound fracture of the skull suffered when the motorcycle on which he was patrolling his beat skidded and threw him to the street.

The policeman, who was 27 years old, lived at 2312 Minnesota Avenue, SE, was appointed to the force on November 17, 1923. He had served at the Sixth Precinct continuously from the time of his appointment, and Capt. Martin Reilly, his commanding officer, expressed deep regret when advised of his death yesterday.

“Rupe was an excellent young officer and a gentleman,” Reilly declared.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sybil Rupe, whom he married two years ago, and an infant son. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but it is probable that his comrades at the Sixth Precinct will act as pallbearers. In addition to the fracture of the skull, Rupe suffered a broken collar bone in the fall. Dr Leon Gordon, of the hospital staff, performed the operation.