Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Wilke was shot and killed after he and his partner spotted a stolen vehicle. Patrolman Wilke and his partner approached the vehicle at the corner of 8th street and Oldham Street. As the Officers were questioning the occupants of the vehicle, a 25-year-old suspect, pulled a pistol that was concealed in the back of the seat. He fired once striking Patrolman Wilke in the neck, killing him. Patrolman Wilkie's partner fired on the suspect, killing him before he could fire another shot. Patrolman Wilke had been with the Louisville Police Department for 18 months.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FA4A77A9- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Wilke gave the Louisville Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Frank H. Wilke 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank H. Wilke's cause is highlighted.
How Frank H. Wilke Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank H. Wilke is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank H. Wilke was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
