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Incident
Officer Geerts succumbed to gunshot wounds received three days earlier when he attempted to arrest two 16-year-olds he caught burglarizing the Naven Fuel Company. Both boys were arrested in Rock Island four days later. Both suspects had escaped from the Home for Feeble Minded Children at Gleenwood. They were both convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in the Fort Madison Penitentiary. One was paroled in 1961 and the other in 1963.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Geerts served with the Davenport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Davenport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Geerts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Davenport Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Bernard is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bernard was 40. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Bernard was 40. 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.
Bernard was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Davenport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Davenport Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bernard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Davenport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
