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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Henry Wendelstorf died of wounds he received the previous day when he was beaten with a baseball bat while attempting to make an arrest at a home near the intersection of 11th Avenue and 14th Street (modern-day Clintonville Street and 14th Road)
Deputy Wendelstorf went to the farm after it was reported to him that two brothers slashed a farmer with a razor after he caught them stealing cherries. Deputy Wendelstorf obtained warrants for both brothers, however, a mob of citizens also went in search of the men and threatened to lynch them. Marshal Wendelstorf located the men as they ran into a home while fleeing from the mob. As he entered the home the brothers attacked him and beat him with a bat.
Deputy Wendelstorf was taken to Flushing Hospital where he died the next day from his injuries.
The two brothers were arrested. One was sentenced to 18 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The other brother was not charged in the death of Deputy Wendelstorf but was charged with assaulting the farmer. He was sentenced to one year.
Deputy Wendelstorf was survived by his wife and four children.
The two brothers were arrested. One was sentenced to 18 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The other brother was not charged in the death of Deputy Wendelstorf but was charged with assaulting the farmer. He was sentenced to one year.
Survivors
Deputy Wendelstorf was survived by his wife and four children.
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
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Wendelstorf served with the Queens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bronx community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Queens County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1897, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1897, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1897, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 51. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Henry was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Henry was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 6.5% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Fridays: 14.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Queens County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; bat, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Queens County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Queens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
