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Incident
Chief of Police George Fridinger died of injuries sustained when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a streetcar at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Boulevard. He and the city street superintendent were inspecting the streets in the area and they had the blinds of the Ford vehicle pulled down because of the wind. The street superintendent drove in front of the Hagerstown and Frederick Electric Railway streetcar and was struck broadside, causing the vehicle to be pushed 40 feet along the tracks and overturn. Chief Fridinger was transported to Washington County Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later. Chief Fridinger had served with the Hagerstown Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Fridinger gave the Hagerstown Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hagerstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fridinger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hagerstown Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
George is one of 141 officers lost to accidents in MD, 37.3% of the 378 remembered there.
George is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1918, 1 officer in MD was lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 88 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 6.
In 1918, 39 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1918, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
George was 58. Of the 133 lost to accidents in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 42; the middle age was 33. George had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 58. 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. George had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. George had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.1% of these deaths in MD; October holds the most, 15.6%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Hagerstown Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 378 deaths in MD, 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
Hagerstown Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, George among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hagerstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
