The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversaries of their End of Watches.
Patrolman William Burmeister was appointed on June 14, 1929 and was assigned to the Cleveland Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit.
When Burmeister reported for duty on October 20, 1935, he was to escort a funeral procession which had left Barberton and was making its way through Cleveland. Unfortunately, Burmeister would never complete his tour of duty that day.
Mrs. Estelle Miller, witness to the accident, was traveling eastbound on Gay Avenue. As she approached East 126th Street, a truck swerved sharply in front of her and knocked eleven year old Albert Kratochvil off his bicycle and into the curb. The truck proceeded east on Gay Avenue with Mrs. Miller following behind. At the intersection of Gay and 131st Street, the truck failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into traffic. Burmeister was travelling southbound on E. 131st Street. As Burmeister attempted to pass Gay Street, the truck pulled out in front of him and hurled him, head first, into the side of the truck.
Burmeister suffered a broken neck from the impact and was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Burmeister, who resided at 13614 Glendale Avenue, was survived by his wife Josephine and children, Florence, 6; William Jr., 3 and Dorothy, 2.
