Alameda County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Tuesday, July 19, 1898
Add to My HeroesGustave Adolph Koch
Constable Gus Koch was one of five deputies killed as a result of a powder magazine explosion.
Constable Koch had served with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office for four years. He was survived by his father, three brothers, and two sisters.
Deputy Daniel Cameron, Constable Gustave Koch, Deputy John Lerri, Deputy Charles White, and Deputy George Woodsum were killed when a powder magazine containing a barricaded murder suspect exploded. The suspect was an employee of an explosives company and had murdered a coworker during a dispute over Chinese lottery tickets.
The suspect fled into the powder keg, which contained 5-tons of powder, and threatened to blow it up if anyone attempted to arrest him. The standoff continued overnight and into the morning until the suspect called to Deputy White and told him he was ready to come out.
As the other deputies approached the magazine it suddenly exploded, killing the five deputies, a female bystander, the suspect, and seriously injuring two other deputies.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Explosion
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsConstable Koch,
On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Officers who were also killed in that incident for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Alameda County.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
July 19, 2023
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