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Incident
Deputy Gaik was shot and killed in an ambush attack as he was driving his patrol car while he was on patrol near Odanah. Other deputies found him in his patrol car near US 2. He had been killed by a shotgun blast through the windshield at close range. A month later a 15 year old boy was arrested and charged with Deputy Gaik's murder. The suspect was found delinquent in connection with Deputy Gaik's murder and sentenced to the boy's reformatory school in Irma in July of 1971.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gaik served with the Ashland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ashland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gaik.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walter is the only officer of Ashland County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Walter is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 58. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Walter was 58. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Walter was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 6.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ashland County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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