William Kaemmerling

William Kaemmerling

Motorcycle Patrolman William Kaemmerling died on January 28, 1922, of his injuries after being involved in a crash on his motorcycle two days earlier. Patrolman Kaemmerling suffered a fractured skull and broken neck when his motorcycle collided with one being driven by a postal messenger. The accident occurred on Grand Avenue, now known as Wisconsin Avenue, between N. 13th and N. 14th Streets around 11:30. Kaemmerling was driving west and the postal messenger was driving east, when one of them […] Read More

Walter Luedtke

On the night of December 18, 1924, a man caused a moonshine-fueled disturbance at his brother’s house at the sight of the latest fashion trend: bobbed hair. As he continued to berate the mother of the two girls, ages 9 and 11, the man fled the house and found a policeman on a nearby corner. Together they returned to the home on N. 5th Street between W. Clarke and W. Wright Streets. Almost immediately, Officer Luedtke began to struggle with […] Read More

Joseph Kubacki

Patrolman Joseph Kubacki died on May 24, 1924, one month after being shot in the line of duty.  Patrolman Kubacki was shot in the left thigh about 1 a.m. on April 23rd, 1924, by automobile bandits he was pursuing down an alley between W. Mineral and W. Washington Streets and 12th and 13th Streets. Patrolman Kubacki encounter the men in a stolen car and called upon them to halt. Instead they started the car down the alley. Patrolman Kubacki fired […] Read More

Harold W. Schmidt

Detective Harold W. Schmidt was killed in the line of duty on April 4, 1925.  Detective Schmidt had two Chicago men under surveillance that were believed to be responsible for stealing cars. While he was questioning the men, he was shot to death in street. It is believed the men escaped to Chicago. Detective Schmidt was 34-years-old. Read More

Hilbert Thurow

Patrolman Hilbert Thurow was struck down as he directed traffic at N. 27th Street and W. Townsend Street on August 22nd, 1930. A truck is said to have made a sudden left turn at the intersection, striking an automobile. The lighter car was flung towards Patrolman Thurow and a pedestrian throwing them to the ground. Patrolman Thurow was knocked unconscious as he struck the pavement. He died hours later at County Emergency Hospital of a fractured skull. Officer Thurow was […] Read More

Robert Bahlke

Patrolman Robert Bahlke died on February 23, 1932, as a result of injuries sustained after being stuck by a car a month earlier. On January 14,1932, Patrolman Bahlke was directing traffic on the 16th Street viaduct at the Plankinton Street approach. It was a very cold and rainy winter night. The driver of the striking vehicle stated he did not see Patrolman Bahlke due to his vision being obscured by the rain. Patrolman Bahlke was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital […] Read More

Richard R. Zingler

Patrolman Richard Zingler died February 8, 1933, 26 hours after being shot.  Patrolman Zingler was shot by one of three men as they held up the superintendent of an apartment building near N. 38th Street and W. Vilet Street. The men believed the superintendent would be carrying collected rent money. Milwaukee was in the midst of a cold snap after a record snowfall. Patrolman Zingler, who knew the superintendent was likely stoking the coal furnace, stopped for a chat and […] Read More

Harry Pieske

Sergeant Harry Pieske was injured on June 15, 1935, when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver near N. 34th Street and W. Capitol Drive, while leading a convoy of United States Army trucks out of the city. He was taken by ambulance to emergency hospital where he died 12 days later on June 27 from massive internal injuries. The driver who struck him was found and arrested. Sergeant Pieske was 41-years-old and had served with the Milwaukee Police Department […] Read More

Charles George

Acting-Detective Charles George was shot and killed on June 8, 1936 while attempting to apprehend a burglary suspect in the 1700 block of N. 4th Street. The suspect was seen by a police officer earlier in the night jumping out of a window with a cash box at a filling station in the 2900 block of W. Fond du Lac Avenue. The officer gave chase but was outdistanced. Upon returning to the filling station to investigate, the officer noticed a […] Read More

Nels Goodman

Motorcycle Officer Nels Goodman died in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 10, 1937, at Johnston Emergency Hospital of injuries suffered in an accident the previous Friday. Officer Goodman was riding his motorcycle east on W. Greenfield Avenue when the wheels of the machine struck a rut in the street near S. 9th Street. Officer Goodman was flung to the pavement fracturing his skull. Officer Goodman was 44-years-old. He was appointed to the Milwaukee Police Department on November 8, 1924. […] Read More