Incident
Patrolman Eichhorn was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. The driver had been drinking heavily for 5 hours prior to the accident and struck Patrolman Eichhorn as he stood in an intersection with a red traffic flashlight. The suspect was arrested and convicted of manslaughter. The charges were dismissed against him after he appealed the verdict. Patrolman Eichhorn had served with the agency for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Eichhorn gave the Washington State Patrol 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Eichhorn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington State Patrol has lost 34 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 1 officer at Washington State Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1958, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 33. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Washington State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 42.3; the middle age was 32.5. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Ernest was 33. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ernest was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.5% of these deaths at Washington State Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
September holds 9.6% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 23.5% of all 34 deaths at Washington State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.9% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Washington State Patrol has 34 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
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Vernon G. Fortin
Sep 30, 1923
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Irving M. Thorsvig
Oct 26, 1926
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Conard C. Tolson
Mar 24, 1929
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Henry Douglas Cossmann
Oct 9, 1929
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William H. Pautzke
May 8, 1930
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Loren G. Ray
Dec 16, 1934
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Allen E. Ludden
Mar 15, 1938
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John H. Gulden
Dec 23, 1942
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Thomas J. Hanlin
May 26, 1945
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Paul H. Johnson
Dec 12, 1949
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Ivan Belka
Aug 18, 1951
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Donald R. Campbell
Dec 21, 1951
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John F. Wright
Jun 28, 1953
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Eugene A. Bolstad
Sep 3, 1957
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Ernest E. Eichhorn
Sep 16, 1958
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Wesley H. Whittenberg
Dec 29, 1960
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Clarence C. Johnson
Sep 8, 1968
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Charles Frank Noble
Feb 5, 1972
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Joseph B. Modlin
Aug 15, 1974
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Thomas L. Hendrickson
Nov 17, 1974
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Glenda Darlene Thomas
May 24, 1985
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James S. Gain
Mar 2, 1987
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Clifford R. Hansell
Jul 22, 1987
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Raymond L. Hawn
Jan 17, 1990
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Steven Lee Frink
Mar 22, 1993
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James E. Saunders
Oct 7, 1999
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Tony Vian Radulescu
Feb 23, 2012
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Sean Michael O'Connell, Jr.
May 31, 2013
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Brent L. Hanger
Aug 6, 2015
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Suzanne Padgett
Sep 4, 2018
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Justin Robert Schaffer
Mar 24, 2020
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Eric Thomas Gunderson
Sep 26, 2021
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Christopher M. Gadd
Mar 2, 2024
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Tara-Marysa Guting
Dec 19, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
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