John Ruffolo
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, MO
Officer John Ruffolo was a first generation American when he was born on October 15th, 1889. His parents, Benjamin and Carrie immigrated from Italy. Officer Ruffolo was with the Kansas City Police Department for less than a year and previously served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Leary.
On October 22nd, 1933, Officer Ruffolo and another officer, John Goetz, were struck by a vehicle and seriously injured while investigating a vehicle struck in a hit and run in front of 4421 Prospect Avenue. As the officers were speaking to the owner of the vehicle struck in the hit and run, another fast moving vehicle struck their patrol car and pinned the officers against a parked car breaking both of each officer's legs. Officer Goetz recovered but Officer Ruffolo died from his injuries four months later at Menorah Hospital. Ruffolo was 44 when he died.
He was survived by his wife, Louise Ruffolo and a sister, Clara.
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