Charles S. Mehlberg
Agency patch
Police Officer

Charles S. Mehlberg

Milwaukee Police Department — Milwaukee, WI
Felonious
End of Watch December 23, 1981
Age 25
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 125 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Mehlberg and Officer John Machajewski were shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery call at a local bar. The officers observed a man run by them carrying a woman's bag and they began to pursue him. The suspect set up an ambush and shot the officers as they neared him. The man was then arrested by other responding officers. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to two life terms plus 110 years. Officer Mehlberg had served as a sworn officer with the agency for almost 4 years and had previously served as a police aide.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-513F24C8
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Mehlberg gave the Milwaukee Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mehlberg.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI
Platform Identity mpd.milwaukee.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 23, 1981
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Police Officer Charles S. Mehlberg is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 50.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Milwaukee Police Department, 42 of 69 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this agency's fallen.

Milwaukee Police Department
42
of 69 officers
60.9% Felonious
WI — Statewide
159
of 317 officers
50.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles S. Mehlberg's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Charles S. Mehlberg Compares

Age at Death
25
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles S. Mehlberg is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles S. Mehlberg was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location