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Incident
Their helicopter experienced mechanical problems and crashed while returning to Milwaukee County. The deputies performed an instrumental role in apprehending the suspect, who was wanted for murdering an off-duty police officer. The helicopter was a 20-year-old military surplus aircraft.
Deputy Zylka, the flight observer, had served with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff I Zylka gave the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff I Zylka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has lost 13 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Ralph is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 2000, 2 officers at Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2000, 2 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 48. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 40.5; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6.8 years.
Ralph was 48. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. Ralph had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ralph was 48. 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. Ralph had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
August holds 14.4% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Thursdays: 20%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 76.9% of all 13 deaths at Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.3% of all 318 deaths in WI, 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
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has 13 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
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William Wank
Aug 18, 1915
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Frank X. Heup
Nov 1, 1915
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George Pazik
May 30, 1917
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Earl R. Haslam
Jan 4, 1929
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Howard F. Grundman
Jan 30, 1934
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Al Beckemeier
May 10, 1947
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Lloyd Rhodes
Nov 17, 1951
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Wallace Neil Schilling
Oct 8, 1975
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John Valentine Trandel
May 1, 1981
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David Michael Demos
Jan 25, 1997
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Sung Hui Bang
Aug 17, 2000
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Ralph Edward Zylka
Aug 17, 2000
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Sergio Aleman
Jul 31, 2012
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
