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Incident
Chief of Police Samuel Cardwell succumbed to injuries suffered over one year earlier while directing traffic at a local football game.
Chief Cardwell's injuries caused him to leave the police department and his health continued to decline until his death.
Chief Cardwell had served with the Bloomington Police Department for two years and was a veteran of the Spanish-American War.
Survivors
He was survived by his two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Cardwell gave the Bloomington Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cardwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bloomington Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Samuel is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1928, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Samuel was 56. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Samuel was 56. 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. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 56. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Bloomington 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 27,552 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
Bloomington Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Bloomington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
