Patrolman Gerischer was shot and killed on Sunday, November 26, 1911, while attempting to arrest a man during a period of unrest due to labor protests. Patrolman Gerischer encountered five men and began chasing one when the man ran away. Patrolman Gerischer fired a warning shot, causing the man to stop. When Patrolman Gerischer approached him the man shot him in the head with a revolver. The suspect was captured in Rock Island, Illinois, the next day.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 26, 1911. He was paroled in 1934. On February 1, 1935, he was sentenced to 14 years in Joliet Prison, Illinois, for attempted murder of a Rock Island Policeman.

Patrolman Gerischer was 32 years old.

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