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Ernest Walter Schilke
Incident
Supernumerary Ernest Schilke died after being overcome by carbon monoxide gas after a gas explosion at a mill on Broad Street. Two workmen were making repairs following the explosion when they were overcome by the fumes. Supernumerary Schilke and fire officials arrived at the scene and attempted to rescue one of the workmen who had collapsed. Supernumerary Schilke and one of the fire officials were both overcome and the Supernumerary died as a result. Supernumerary Schilke had served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during WW II.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Supernumerary Officer Schilke served with the Bristol Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol 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
Ernest Walter Schilke served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bristol Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ernest is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1944, 1 officer in CT was lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 4.
In 1944, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1944, 59 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 93rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ernest was 23. Of the 63 lost to accidents in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Ernest was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Ernest was 23. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
May holds 9.6% of these deaths in CT; July holds the most, 19.2%. Wednesdays: 20.5%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Bristol Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 43.2% of all 169 deaths in CT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bristol Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Military Service
Ernest Walter Schilke served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ernest Walter Schilke’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bristol Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
