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Commemorating the fatal attacks: Police remember Eichhöfer and Schwalm
On November 2, 2025, the murderous events of 1987 at Runway 18 West in Frankfurt, in which two police officers were killed, will be remembered.
Commemorating the fatal attacks: Police remember Eichhöfer and Schwalm
On November 2nd, 2025 it will be that time again: the 38th anniversary of the deaths of Klaus Eichhöfer and Torsten Schwalm. These two courageous police officers fell on November 2, 1987 in a brutal attack during a demonstration at Runway 18 West in Frankfurt. A protester opened fire with a pistol, killing the two while they were standing up for the public's safety. In a moving commemoration, the police union (GDP) remembers the tragic event that not only shocked Hesse, but also had far-reaching consequences for society as a whole. The memory of the two remains alive and highlights the dangers that come with the police profession and the human fate behind the uniforms. Gdp.de reports that state chairman Jens Mohrherr also shares his memories of Eichhöfer and Schwalm and emphasizes the respect for police work.
The tragic events of 1987 are more than just a memory; they are a reminder. The protest movement against the airport expansion at the time had already begun years before the fatal attacks, when the “Action Group Against the Airport Expansion” was formed in 1979. Over the years there has been a massive wave of protests, ranging from peaceful demonstrations to violent clashes. The climax of these developments came on November 2, 1987, the sixth anniversary of the evacuation of a hut village of protesters, which resulted in violent riots.
A look at the events of 1987
On the evening of November 2, 1987, a demonstration began with 200 to 300 participants, according to information from Wikipedia ended with the shooting of a 33-year-old member of an autonomous group. The demonstrator fired 14 shots at the police, killing Eichhöfer and Schwalm and injuring seven other police officers. The arrest of the perpetrator, Andreas E., took place the following morning in his girlfriend's apartment, where his murder weapon was also seized.
The wave of outrage that followed these horrific incidents not only led to a decline in the protest movement against the airport expansion, but also called into question the security situation in the region. The Frankfurt Runway Trial, which began in 1989, brought the seriousness of what happened to the test for many. Andreas E. was convicted of manslaughter and had to serve 15 years.
Summary and outlook
The events of 1987 still shape the image of the police in Germany today. The human side of the police profession must always be at the forefront in order to maintain trust in a police force that serves people. In memory of Klaus Eichhöfer and Torsten Schwalm, the memory remains firmly anchored in people's hearts. The challenges in the police service are still more relevant than ever and require responsible cooperation in society.