William Burmeister
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Burmeister

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Accident
End of Watch October 20, 1935
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 70 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Burmeister was killed in a motorcycle crash while en route to escort a funeral procession that had left Barberton and was making its way through Cleveland. Patrolman Burmeister was traveling southbound on East 131st Street. As he attempted to pass Gay Avenue, a truck ran a stop sign and pulled out in front of him, and he hit the side of the truck head-first. Patrolman Burmeister suffered a broken neck from the impact and was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patrolman Burmeister had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqp5bxhsassyvd0bb9y0
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 William. 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.
Patrolman Burmeister gave the Cleveland Division of Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burmeister.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 20, 1935
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Burmeister

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch October 20, 1935

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W

↑