Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: New York Weapon: Rifle; Machine gun Offender: Not available
Coast Guardsman Karl Gustafson was shot and killed while on prohibition patrol in Block Island Sound, approximately three miles southeast of Race Point Lighthouse, New York.
Guardsman Gustafson was on watch in the pilothouse of CG-237 and was following a small boat suspected of carrying illegal liquor at approximately 1:00 am when the occupants aboard the other boat suddenly opened fire without warning. Guardsman Gustafson was struck by a single round in the abdomen.
Other crew members immediately attended to his wound and set a course for New London, Connecticut. When they arrived at the base, Guardsman Gustafson was immediately taken to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound at 6:25 am.
Guardsman Gustafson had served with the United States Coast Guard for two years and held the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate (Acting).
He was buried in the U.S. Navy section of Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, who lived in his native Sweden.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-21C79166- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Coast Guardsman Gustafson gave the United States Coast Guard 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Karl Edwin Gustafson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Coast Guardsman Karl Edwin Gustafson 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Coast Guard, 4 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Karl Edwin Gustafson's cause is highlighted.
How Karl Edwin Gustafson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Karl Edwin Gustafson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Karl Edwin Gustafson was killed by rifle; machine gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from United States Coast Guard are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
