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Incident
Officer Karl Reishus succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he fell from a 40-foot tower during a training exercise. He was training with members of Juneau Mountain Rescue Volunteer Group as they practiced a rescue scenario that involved lowering a victim in a litter while a rescuer rappelled alongside the victim. Something went wrong with the ropes as Officer Reishus attempted to stabilize them. He was pulled over a 3-foot safety wall and fell to the ground below. The person in the litter and the rappeller also fell to the ground and were both injured. Officer Reishus had served with the Juneau Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Sitka Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Reishus gave the Juneau Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Juneau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Reishus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Juneau Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Karl is one of 14 officers lost to accidents in AK, 28% of the 50 remembered there.
Karl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Karl 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 1992, 1 officer in AK was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1964, with 3.
In 1992, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1992, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Karl was 29. Of the 14 lost to accidents in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 37. Karl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Karl was 29. 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. Karl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Karl was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Karl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.1% of these deaths in AK; October holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 21.4%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Juneau Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 50 deaths in AK, 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
Juneau Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Karl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Juneau Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
