Officer Henry Eichelberger succumbed to injuries received over month earlier on March 20, 1955, when he was involved in an automobile accident.

On March 20, 1955, Officer Eichelberger was driving a patrol car transporting a watchman who had suffered a heart attack from the Lucas Avenue Station to Christian Hospital. A second officer, Corporal William Meuller, was seated with the man in the rear seat. When the patrol car entered the intersection of Vandeventer and Easton Avenue was struck by a second vehicle who had failed to see the police cruiser operating with lights and siren. Officer Eichelberger was injured but had seemingly recovered from his wounds and returned to duty. On April 19, 1955, he suddenly slipped from good health, was readmitted to the Alexian Brother's Hospital where he died 13 days later from injuries sustained in the accident on May 2nd.

Officer Eichelberger had been with the agency for 41 years, since 1914, serving in the Ninth District. He was survived by his wife, May. Officer Eichelberge's father, Louis, also served with the St. Louis Police Department. Interred: Calvary Cemetery.