On the steps of the Manitowoc County Courthouse, the Clipper City Chordsmen welcomed dozens of civilians and representatives from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department and the Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and Kiel Police Departments for the Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony.
In total, there have been seven officers and deputies in Manitowoc County who gave their all to ensure our safety.
Patrolman Dale Robin TenHaken
The most recent of these men is MPD Patrolman Dale TenHaken, who was shot in the line of duty on September 23rd, 1998.
We spoke with Police Chief Nick Reimer, who served with Officer TenHaken. He said while many current officers served with Dale, the day is about more than just him.
“It’s a reminder that this isn’t something that happened years ago, it’s something that can happen to any one of us, and it has happened to us,” he said. “Whatever we can do to keep that from happening, we want to do that.”
The first officer to die in the line of duty in Manitowoc County was actually with the Kiel Police Department.
Marshal Edmund E. Hanske
His name was Marshal Edmund E. Hanske.
As Kiel Police Chief Dave Funkhauser explained, he died in 1914.
“Our officer was killed 108 years ago right in our downtown. He was hit by a hit and run motorist that was eventually caught,” he explained. “It just goes to show that any community is not immune to violence or bad things happening.”
The other men who died in the line of duty were:
Police Officer Leo Rocque
Two Rivers Officer Leo Rocque – End of watch October 5th, 1926. Rocque was shot in the line of duty. No arrests have been made.
Patrolman Fred Mueller
Manitowoc Patrolman Fred Mueller – End of watch July 5th, 1932. Mueller was shot while investigating two brothers asleep in a parked car. Both were convicted of second degree murder.
Police Officer Thomas R. Dodge
Two Rivers Police Officer Thomas R. Dodge – End of watch September 10th, 1975. Dodge was shot while conducting a welfare check. The assailant was apprehended, and was confined to a mental hospital until his death.
Patrolman Lawrence Harold Metsker
Manitowoc Patrolman Lawrence Harold Metsker – End of watch February 25th, 1976. Metsker was responding to an accident near the Little Manitowoc River when he lost control of his squad car and collided with a tree.
Sheriff’s Deputy David C. Hibbard – End of watch May 8th, 1982. Hibbard died while attending department training at Lakeshore Technical College.
