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Incident
Police Officer Bert Plattenberger succumbed to injuries sustained on October 1st, 1945, when he was struck by a taxicab at the intersection of Main Street and Murray Street.
He was taken to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his injuries on October 11th, 1945.
An inquest determined that his death was accidental and the driver was not charged.
Officer Plattenberger had served with the Savanna Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was a widower and was survived by his son, three grandchildren, and four brothers.
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 Plattenberger gave the Savanna Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Savanna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Plattenberger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Savanna Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Bert is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Bert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bert 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 1945, 5 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bert was 66. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Bert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 66. 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. Bert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 66. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 17.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Savanna Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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
Savanna Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Bert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Savanna Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
