Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Patrolman Fred Widmann was shot and killed by burglars while walking his beat. He interrupted the burglars at work at the rear door of the Coburn bicycle and gun store. One robber, without warning, shot twice at Patrolman Widmann. Although fatally wounded, Patrolman Widmann returned fire and then managed to get to the sidewalk where he was able to call for help. He was take to the hospital where he died that afternoon if internal bleeding. Although the entire police department assisted in the search, and a reward of $1200 was offered, no suspect was ever apprehended.
Survivors
Patrolman Widmann had served with the agency for two years and is survived by his mother and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-6ECF41B1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Widmann gave the Waterloo Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterloo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Widmann.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Fred P. Widmann is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Waterloo Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred P. Widmann's cause is highlighted.
How Fred P. Widmann Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred P. Widmann is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred P. Widmann was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Waterloo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
