1944

January 01, 1944 Patrolman John W. Neal Cincinnati Police Division, OH Patrolman Neal was killed in a motorcycle while on duty on Beechmont Avenue in 1944.

February 15, 1944 Officer Forrest C. Gerken California Highway Patrol, CA Officer Forrest C. Gerken was on motorcycle patrol nearing the intersection of Oak Grove Avenue and the Bay Shore Highway when the driver of a pickup truck turned across the corner of an intersection and crashed head-on into the patrolman. Officer Gerken was killed instantly. Gerken had entered the Patrol in 1942 and died just two days before his 46th birthday. He served on the Bay Bridge prior to transferring to San Mateo. Officer Forrest Gerken's son is retired CHP Officer Cliff Gerken (3778).

March 9, 1944 Sgt. Forest M. Underwood California Highway Patrol - Los Angeles Sergeant Forest M. Underwood was shot and killed by a criminal wanted for kidnapping and robbery. Underwood, 41, was writing a parking citation when a taxi abruptly pulled along side. The driver jumped out, shouting excitedly that a robber was inside his cab. The suspect immediately opened fire, felling Underwood with two shots. Though mortally wounded, the patrol officer returned fire but his shots missed his assailant. While he lay dying, Underwood noted the license number of the getaway car and a description of the murderer at the bottom of the parking citation he had been writing.

March 22, 1944 Constable George R. Vanderveer Sarnia Police Canada While operating a motorcycle on March 22, 1944, Constable Vanderveer was in pursuit of a vehicle southbound on Highway 40 in Sarnia. During the pursuit he was in collision with a train at a level crossing and was killed instantly.

May 18, 1944 Officer John A. Reed California Highway Patrol, CA Officer John A. Reed had activated his red light and siren and begun his pursuit of a speeding automobile when he collided with a vehicle that turned left in front of his motorcycle.  Reed was critically injured and died the following day. The 35-year-old patrol officer had joined the CHP in 1941 after prior service as a state police officer in Sacramento.

August 03, 1944 Trooper William H. Crutcher Tennessee Highway Patrol, TN Trooper Crutcher died while operating a motorcycle near Bordeaux, Tennessee

August 08, 1944 Trooper Charles Deans Illinois State Police, IL Trooper Deans was killed in a motorcycle accident while transferring a motorcycle from Benton to Duquoin. The motorcycle experience mechanical problems and caused him to lose control. Trooper Deans had been with the agency for less then one year and was survived by his wife and two children.

September 24, 1944 Pierce Lee REEVES Mobile Police Department, AL Motorcycle Accident

October 10, 1944 Police Officer Walter C. Busch Tulsa Police Department, OK Officer Busch was killed in a motorcycle accident when he collided with a car at 17th Street and Quanah Avenue while chasing a speeder.

November 04, 1944 Officer Lewis W. Gregg California Highway Patrol, CA Officer Lewis W. Gregg collided with a vehicle that turned suddenly in front of the motorcycle officer without signaling. Gregg was killed almost instantly. The 40-year-old patrol officer had joined the CHP two years earlier after previously working as a clerk in the traffic court in the city of San Diego.

December 07, 1944 Officer David R. Henderson California Highway Patrol, CA Officer David R. Henderson was killed when his motorcycle collided with an automobile driven by a motorist who pulled into his lane of traffic after deliberately passing a bus that had stopped to load and unload passengers.  Henderson, 33, joined the CHP in 1942 after serving two years with the Burbank Police Department. He had also previously served as a Deputy Fish and Game Warden with the County of Los Angeles.