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Incident
Officer Robert Etter and Officer Stephanie Markins were killed when the driver of a full-size pickup truck deliberately struck their patrol car while it was stopped at a stop sign in the 3800 block of West Mason Street (Highway 54) at 4:22 p.m.
As the suspect approached the patrol car, he accelerated to approximately 70 mph and struck the patrol car on the driver's side without ever applying his brakes. Officer Etter, sitting in the passenger's seat, was ejected from the patrol car, and Officer Markins was pinned inside. Both officers died at the scene. The suspect, who was out looking to kill a police officer, was arrested.
The 27-year-old suspect was found guilty of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in 2003 and sentenced to 50 years in prison with no eligibility for parole.
Officer Etter was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran who had served with the DePere Police Department for 30 years and with the Pulaski Police Department for two years before joining the 5-person Hobart/Lawrence Police Department in March 2001 when it was created.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Etter gave the Hobart / Lawrence Police Department 33 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oneida community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Galen Etter Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1966â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hobart / Lawrence Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2002, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2002, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 55. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Robert was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Hobart / Lawrence Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Hobart / Lawrence Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Military Service
Robert Galen Etter Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1966–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Galen Etter Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hobart / Lawrence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
