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John Rafter

Case from Harrisonburg, VA dated Feb 07, 1983

Victim Details

John E. Rafter

Male

White / Caucasian

Harrisonburg

VA

1983-02-07

28

John

Rafter

07/03/2026

Case Description

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On a cold day in February 1983, a dedicated law enforcement officer's act of kindness tragically led to his own death. Deputy Sheriff John E. Rafter, a 28-year-old white male, was a respected six-year veteran of the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. On February 7th, he was tasked with transporting a prisoner to the Augusta County Jail in Staunton, Virginia. The journey took a fatal turn when Deputy Rafter, ever the public servant, stopped his patrol car on an exit ramp off Interstate 81 to ass ...
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Links to Additional Sources (3)

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  • Deputy Sheriff John E. Rafter - Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
  • Gone But Not Forgotten | Harrisonburg | dnronline.com
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    Forum Posts (3)

    I’ve been doing some reading about Deputy John E. Rafter's case, and one thing that really struck ... ...Read More
    09/13/2023
    I've been following Deputy Rafter's case, and one aspect that stands out to me is the lasting impact... ...Read More
    09/01/2023
    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to bring up a detail that often gets overshadowed in the discussion... ...Read More
    01/10/2023
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