Prev
Ambrose Banta
Incident
Detective Sergeant Ambrose Banta was struck and killed by a train at the North Belmont Avenue crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He was patrolling the tracks when he was struck by the switch engine that was backing up.
Sergeant Ambrose had served with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department for a short time and had previously served two terms as the elected sheriff of Fountain County, Indiana.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtny99txn5a74bs4nn13c- 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 Ambrose. 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.
Detective Sergeant Banta gave the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Banta.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ambrose is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Ambrose is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ambrose 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 1927, 7 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1927, 119 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ambrose was 55. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Ambrose had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ambrose was 55. 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. Ambrose had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ambrose was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ambrose had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, 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
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Ambrose among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.