Prev
Incident
Chief Herbert Lesch was killed in a motorcycle accident when he collided with a state police car while escorting a milk truck during a strike.
Chief Lesch had served with the Wheeling Police Department for four years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpjf7bnjbwf07d5x713y- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Herbert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Lesch gave the Wheeling Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wheeling community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Lesch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wheeling Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Herbert is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Herbert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herbert 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 1935, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Herbert was 29. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Herbert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 29. 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. Herbert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Herbert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wheeling Police Department, the most common cause.
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
Wheeling Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Herbert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wheeling Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
