Patrolman

Joseph W. Herzog

Austin Police Department — Austin, MN
Accident
End of Watch July 1, 1945
Age 51
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 81 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Herzog was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at an accident scene at the intersection of Kenwood Avenue and Myrtle Street at 2:15 am. Although he was using a flashlight and the red lights on the patrol car and a tow truck were on, a vehicle entered the area and struck him at approximately 45 mph. The driver claimed she thought the lights were from a nearby business sign. No charges were filed. Patrolman Herzog had served with the Austin Police Department for nine years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Herzog gave the Austin Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Herzog.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Austin, Mower County, MN
Platform Identity apd.mower.mn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 1, 1945
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 51
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Joseph was 51. 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. Joseph had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded

Patrolman Joseph W. Herzog

Austin Police Department · End of Watch July 1, 1945

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W

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