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Incident
Detective Sergeant Herman Wilkewitz succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash on March 30th, 1931, while driving an informant to Dearborn, Michigan.
The woman had information about a recent larceny and had offered to show Sergeant Wilkewitz the home in Dearborn where the stolen property had been taken. Sergeant Wilkewitz was driving on Schaefer Road, in front of the Ford Motor Company plant, when he collided with a streetcar that failed to stop at its signal.
Sergeant Wilkewitz, the informant, and the informant's daughter were injured in the crash. Sergeant Wilkewitz suffered a cerebral hemorrhage as a result of his injuries and died on April 18th, 1931.
Sergeant Wilkewitz had served with the River Rouge Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five 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.
Detective Sergeant Wilkewitz gave the River Rouge Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the River Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Wilkewitz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
River Rouge Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Herman is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Herman is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herman 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 1931, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Herman was 40. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Herman had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 40. 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. Herman had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Herman had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.1% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at River Rouge Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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
River Rouge Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Herman among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from River Rouge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.