Officer Edward Schnittker was struck and killed by a train.

On June 4, 1930 at 8:50 pm, Officer Schnittker and his partner, Officer August LaTour, were on motorcycle patrol. The two officers had stopped at the closed railway gates at the Lindell-Union crossing in Forest Park and waited for five minutes, but did not see any train approaching. As the gates went up the two officers began to proceed, but both motorcycles were struck by a train. Officer LaTour's bike was struck in the rear and he was able to jump off without receiving major injuries. Officer Schnittker was also struck by the train and his body was hurled across the tracks. He was pronounced dead at Jewish Hospital. Police arrested the towerman, Melvin Butts, and the train crew, Roy Fletcher and Andrew Brayfield. The three were soon released pending an inquest. Witnesses said the train gates were up at the time of the accident. Butts stated that the gates were operated by air pressure and were down.

Officer Schnittker had been with the police department for seven years and was survived by his wife. Interred: Valhalla Cemetery.