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Incident
Officer Gerald Rosa was struck and killed by a vehicle while he and his partner were manning a roadblock on Capital Avenue. He was stopping southbound cars when a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old swerved across the center divider and struck him from behind, throwing him 126 feet. Officer Rosa and his partner were searching for the suspects who had earlier shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Dean Ray Foster of the Eaton County Sheriff's Officer. Officer Rosa had served with the Battle Creek City Police Department for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and brother.
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.
Police Officer Rosa served with the Battle Creek City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Battle Creek community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rosa.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Battle Creek City Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Gerald is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gerald 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 1967, 5 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1967, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1967, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 34th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gerald was 24. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Gerald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerald was 24. 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. Gerald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerald was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gerald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.3% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Battle Creek City Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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
Battle Creek City Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Gerald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Battle Creek City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
