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Incident
Sheriff Ernest Wahlert was accidentally shot and killed when his revolver fell from its holster and discharged.
The sheriff and a deputy were pursuing bootleggers during a snow storm when their vehicle left the road and became stuck in the snow. As the two attempted to push the car out of the snow, Sheriff Wahlert's revolver fell from his shoulder holster, discharged, and the bullet struck him in the chest.
Sheriff Wahlert had served with the agency for only 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
You barely got started.
Sheriff Wahlert gave the Hancock County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Gamer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wahlert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ernest is the only officer of Hancock County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ernest is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 2 officers in IA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Ernest was 56. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 56. 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 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 56. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Tuesdays: 12.7%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
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