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Incident
Patrolman John Gerka was training two rookie officers when he went to investigate a suspicious car parked on Cleveland Street near Kenwood School. As Patrolman Gerka walked to the side of the auto, a man leaned out and shot him at point-blank range, hitting him in the heart with a .45-caliber bullet. One of the rookies, Patrolman Donald Cook, was also shot and died two days later. The second rookie disarmed the shooter by wrestling his pistol from him, but was struck on the head by a second man and knocked to the ground. A manhunt combed the area, then the state, looking for both suspects. Sometime later, Hammond detectives arrested two suspects for the crimes. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On February 23, 1949, both men were executed by electrocution. Patrolman Gerka had served in the U.S. Army during World War II and served with the Hammond Police Department for over one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Gerka gave the Hammond Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Hammond community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John J. Gerka Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hammond Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1947, 2 officers at Hammond Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1947, 2 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Hammond Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 41.3; the middle age was 34.5. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
John was 36. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at Hammond Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.7%.
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Hammond Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Hammond Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John J. Gerka Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John J. Gerka Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hammond Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
