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Incident
Sergeant Ernest Malatinka was found dead of a gunshot wound inside the Robertsdale substation.
The following month, Sergeant Malatinka's death was ruled accidental as gun-cleaning materials were found on his desk and he had apparently been shot with the shotgun he had been cleaning.
Sergeant Malatinka had served with the Hammond Police Department for 17 years.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Malatinka gave the Hammond Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hammond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Malatinka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hammond Police Department has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ernest is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ernest was 47. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Ernest was 47. 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. Ernest had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Hammond Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Hammond Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hammond Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
