In the fall of 1918, Dayton Police Patrolman Emerson A. Glotfelter contracted the early 20th century’s deadliest global virus—the Spanish Influenza—in the line of duty.

In addition to their regular duties, during the global pandemic Dayton Police officers were also assigned to operating ambulances, removing corpses, closing saloons that violated health orders, and preventing crowd gatherings. As a result, many became ill, and six of them died. It was estimated that from early 1918 through early 1920 the Spanish Flu killed approximately 675,000 Americans.

Emerson died of complications from the Spanish Influenza on December 7th, 1918.

Patrolman Glotfelter was 24 years old at the time of his death, and had served with the Dayton Police Department for only 4 months. He was survived by his wife and father.

Emerson was known for having shown the promise of becoming one of the best officers on the force. He was a second generation police officer, whose father had also served as a Dayton Police Patrolman.