About 5:30 AM the morning of August 9, 1945, the Clarksville Laundry on Third Street was the scene of a devastating fire that destroyed the laundry, resulted in the death of a city police officer, injured a fireman and damaged surrounding businesses.

Clarksville Police Officer K. Leonard Nipple, age 35, was standing in the doorway of the laundry's broiler room with Fireman Marshall Hodge and Fireman Joe Davenport, Jr. Assistant Fire Chief Tommy Seay was nearby when he heard a noise and looked up to see one of the walls caving in. Offficer Nipple was struck on the head and shoulders by falling brick and was killed instantly. Hodge managed to avoid most of the brick but was struck on the back. He was taken to Clarksville Hospital where he was listed in satisfactory condition. Davenport escaped unharmed.

Clarksville Laundry owner, John Johnson, advised both the fire department and the police department that he had recently installed some new machinery. The cause of the blaze had not been determined at that point, however, it was known not to have started in the boiler room. The damaged were estimated at approximately $150,000.00.

Officer K. Leonard Nipple, the 35 year old unmarried officer had moved to Clarksville from Kansas. His only known relatives were in California. "Cowboy," as he was called by his fellow officers, had been a member of the police force for three years. He had been a good officer, brave, dependable and had the respect of the entire Department.