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Incident
Patrol Officer Verl Whinery was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at a crash scene at Seventh Avenue and Highway 10 in Anoka. At 1:45 a.m., two cars collided, and one of the vehicles caught on fire. While firefighters were extinguishing the fire, Officer Whinery directed traffic around the scene. A driver approaching the intersection slid on the icy road and struck Officer Whinery. Officer Whinery had served with the Anoka Police Department for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Whinery served with the Anoka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Anoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Whinery.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Anoka Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Verl is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Verl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Verl 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 1947, 1 officer in MN was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1947, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1947, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Verl was 58. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. Verl had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Verl 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. Verl had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Verl 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. Verl had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 4.8% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 10.7%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Anoka Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, 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
Anoka Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Verl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Anoka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
