Remembering our fallen Officers – Kermit Leonard Nipple

Clarksville’s first Police Officer killed in the line of Duty

On or about February 5th, 1943, Leonard Nipple was appointed patrolman with the Clarksville Police Department under Chief John Balthrop.  Officer Nipple came here from Kansas. He was considered a good officer, fearless, dependable and had the respect of the entire police force, receiving the nickname of “Cowboy”.

The morning of August 9th, 1945, a fire broke out at the Clarksville Laundry which became so intense it melted and shattered windows of a number of other businesses across 3^rd Street.  Officer Nipple responded with firefighters to the scene.  He was standing with the firefighters in the doorway of the laundry’s boiler room when a wall collapsed and Officer Nipple and Firefighter Marshall Hodge were struck by falling brick.  Officer Nipple succumbed to his injuries and died.  Firefighter Hodge was taken to the hospital, treated and released.

In an editorial from The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, it was said of Officer Nipple:  “His last act was typical of him, a willingness to do his duty, regardless of risk to life.” 

He was buried in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. One of the first acts under new Chief Al Ansley, the family of Leonard Nipple received recognition of this officer’s last act as a police officer.