Off-duty officer shot dead while intervening in Wisconsin robbery: police

An officer was shot dead Monday while intervening in a robbery in southern Wisconsin.

Officer John Hetland was off-duty when he approached an armed robber at Tezzer’s Tavern in Racine, Wisconsin, the Kenosha County sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The suspect fatally shot Hetland and fled the scene, Racine police said. The shooting happened about 9:40 p.m. in the 1900 block of Lathrop Avenue.

The sheriff’s office released a video frame of the gunman entering the bar.

Kenosha County sheriff’s office

Hetland was a 24-year veteran of the Racine Police Department, according to a statement from Racine Chief Arthel Howell.

“Officer Hetland was a trusted and highly respected member of the department, serving in various positions over the years, including an assignment as a field training officer, as well as a member of the Greater Racine FBI Gang Task,” Howell told the Associated Press.

Anyone with tips was asked to call the Kenosha County Crime Stoppers at 888-636-9330, 262-656-7333 or 800-807-8477.

Contributing: AP

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