Incident
Patrolman Geng died from injuries he received the two days earlier when his motorcycle struck a truck as he tried to catch up with a speeding vehicle. The accident happened on Plainfield Avenue near Saunders Court. Patrolman Geng had served with the Grand Rapids Police Department for just two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Geng served with the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Geng.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Grand Rapids Police Department has lost 15 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
George is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
George is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
George is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 1 officer at Grand Rapids Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 4 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
George was 27. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Grand Rapids Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 41; the middle age was 31. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
George was 27. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 27. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 27. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 42.9% of these deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 28.6%.
May holds 10.7% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 46.7% of all 15 deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Grand Rapids Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, George among them.
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George W. Powers
Aug 22, 1895
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Henry Slater
Sep 4, 1907
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Millard F. Davis
Aug 25, 1916
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Charles Irving DeYoung
Jun 7, 1920
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George David Geng
May 18, 1921
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Gerrit George Brandsma
Dec 7, 1921
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Samuel Slater, Jr.
Dec 9, 1921
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John Meiboom
Oct 10, 1925
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Francis Marion Gallup
May 13, 1946
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Stanley Van Tuinen
Dec 3, 1966
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Wayne Vonk
Jan 19, 1969
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Herman Reinhold Gloe
Dec 12, 1974
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Joseph Floyd Taylor
Nov 17, 1986
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Daniel Craig Duyst
May 30, 1994
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Robert Anthony Kozminski
Jul 8, 2007
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.













