Officer Erber was age 59 when killed in the line of duty on June 6, 1920. He was shot about 9:30 p.m. while trying to make an arrest and died from the injuries at 12:30 a.m.

He answered a drunk and disturbance call to a house boat on the Arkansas River near Lincoln Avenue. Erber was believed to have been shot by Charles Williams, the occupant of the houseboat. Williams escaped in a motorboat with his two children. After a lengthy man hunt, Williams was captured, tried for the crime, and convicted.

Erber had one son and five daughters. He was a veteran of 27 years with the department and one of the oldest in time in service.