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William J. Nattkemper
Incident
Game Warden William Nattkemper and Game Warden William Peare drowned in the Wabash River at Tecumseh, north of Terre Haute, after their boat took on water and capsized. The two wardens, along with three other wardens, had just investigated the sound of gunshots and were returning upstream when their boat was swamped by large waves. The other three wardens were able to swim to safety. Game Warden Nattkemper had served with the Indiana Department of Conservation for five years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn6n0gsnt486kd49qajm- Stewardship
- 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.
Game Warden Nattkemper gave the Indiana Department of Conservation 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Nattkemper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has lost 7 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1926, 2 officers at Indiana Department of Natural Resources were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1926, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1926, 75 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 58. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Indiana Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 40.3 and 57.5; the middle age was 50. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 58. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
William 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. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William 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. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 50% of these deaths at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 83.3%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Indiana Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
