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Incident
Constable Gus Koch was one of five deputies killed as a result of a powder magazine explosion.
Constable Koch had served with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Deputy Sheriff Daniel Cameron, Constable Gustave Koch, Deputy Sheriff John Lerri, Deputy Sheriff Charles White, and Deputy Sheriff George Woodsum were killed when a powder magazine containing a barricaded murder suspect exploded at 5:18 a.m. The suspect was an employee of the California Fuse and Explosive Works Company and had murdered a coworker during a dispute over Chinese lottery tickets.
The suspect fled into the powder keg, which contained 5 tons of powder, and threatened to blow it up if anyone attempted to arrest him. The standoff continued overnight and into the morning until the suspect called Deputy White and told him he was ready to come out.
As the other deputies approached the magazine, it suddenly exploded, killing the five deputies, a female bystander, and the suspect and seriously injuring two other deputies. The California Fuse and Explosive Works Company was located in the current-day Melrose area of Oakland. The blast caused damage as far north as 13th Avenue, east on Merrill Avenue, and south to San Leandro.
Survivors
He was survived by his father, three brothers, and 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
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Koch gave the Alameda County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alameda County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Gustave is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gustave is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gustave is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 5 officers at Alameda County Sheriff's Office were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1898, 5 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1898, 13 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1898, 17 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gustave was 33. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Alameda County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 42; the middle age was 34.5. Gustave had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Gustave was 33. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Gustave had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gustave was 33. 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. Gustave had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gustave was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gustave had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 83.3% of these deaths at Alameda County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 83.3%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Alameda County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alameda County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, Gustave among them.
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Daniel Carlisle Cameron
Jul 19, 1898
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Gustave Adolph Koch
Jul 19, 1898
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John J. Lerri
Jul 19, 1898
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Charles M. White
Jul 19, 1898
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George Woodsum
Jul 19, 1898
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Andrew W. Lindquist
Jan 13, 1910
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Richard Walter Blancher
Feb 23, 1986
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John Paul Monego
Dec 12, 1998
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Michael Robert Foley
Feb 23, 2017
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Oscar Walter Rocha
Jul 23, 2020
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Aubrey Phillips
Feb 12, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Alameda County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
