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Incident
Undersheriff Ernest Kerskie succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic on the Geneva Turnpike.
Around 10:00 p.m., Undersheriff Kerskie was directing traffic at the scene of a crash, one mile east of the police substation. There was poor visibility with heavy fog, and Undersheriff Kerskie had flares on the roadway while using a flashlight. The car struck him before crashing into the tow truck and hurling him into the air and onto the pavement. A passing driver transported Undersheriff Kerskie to Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries on October 25, 1937.
The driver was charged with reckless driving and received a 30-day jail sentence.
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- August 2, 2026
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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.
Undersheriff Kerskie gave the Ontario County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Canandaigua community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Kerskie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ontario County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Ernest is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 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, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 12 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1937, 95 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1937, 109 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ernest was 46. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Ernest had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ernest was 46. 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 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 46. 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 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.3% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Ontario County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, 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
Ontario County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ontario County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.