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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Ciecka succumbed to injuries sustained 11 months earlier when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic.
The injuries caused him to medically retire. His health continued to deteriorate and he died on September 5th, 1962.
Patrolman Ciecka had served with the LaPorte Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Patrolman Ciecka gave the LaPorte Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the LaPorte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ciecka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
LaPorte Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1962, 4 officers in IN were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1962, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 49. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Thomas was 49. 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. Thomas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 49. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at LaPorte Police Department, the 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
LaPorte Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from LaPorte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
