Ernest E. Eichhorn

Washington State Patrol — Olympia, WA

Felonious

End of Watch September 16, 1958

Age 33

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Badge 302

The Vigil Panel 94 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 33

Incident

Patrolman Eichhorn was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. The driver had been drinking heavily for 5 hours prior to the accident and struck Patrolman Eichhorn as he stood in an intersection with a red traffic flashlight. The suspect was arrested and convicted of manslaughter. The charges were dismissed against him after he appealed the verdict. Patrolman Eichhorn had served with the agency for 12 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-8BB0AD4E
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Eichhorn gave the Washington State Patrol 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Eichhorn.

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

Agency

Department Washington State Patrol

Location Olympia, WA

Platform Identity whp.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 1958

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 33

Badge Number 302

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Charges dismissed

Patrolman Ernest E. Eichhorn is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washington State Patrol, 8 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.

Washington State Patrol

of 34 officers

23.5% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious