Prev
Incident
Police Officer Orren Shelmadine was struck by a train while walking across the tracks at a railroad crossing near a passenger station.
Witnesses testified that Officer Shelmadine did not hear the train approaching from the east as he was looking towards the passenger station to the west. He was unable to clear the crossing in time and was dragged approximately 300 feet.
Officer Shelmadine had served with the Elkhart Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnkkfrqk44qv9n0nk6yk- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Orren. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Shelmadine gave the Elkhart Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elkhart community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Shelmadine.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Elkhart Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Orren is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Orren is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orren is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1920, 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 1920, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Orren was 54. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Orren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Orren was 54. 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. Orren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Orren was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Orren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 13.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Elkhart Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Elkhart Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Orren among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Elkhart Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
