James J. Hantschel

Racine Police Department — Racine, WI

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 15, 1963

Age 38

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 98 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Detective James Hantschel was shot and killed while he and another detective transported a fraud suspect to the police station. The suspect, who was sitting in the backseat with the other detective, managed to gain control of his handgun and shot him. He then ordered Detective Hantschel to drive to a nearby park where he shot and killed him and then fled on foot. The suspect was captured later that day after he was found hiding in a nearby garage. The other detective recovered from his wounds. The suspect, 26, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 30 years to life on May 9, 1964. In 1972 he was pardoned by Governor Patrick J. Lucey. Detective Hantschel had served with the Racine Police Department for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. He was a World War II veteran.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WI-0F5E22B3
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 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.
Detective Hantschel gave the Racine Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Racine community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Racine Police Department

Location Racine, WI

Platform Identity rpd.racine.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 15, 1963

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Pardoned in 1972

Military Service

James J. Hantschel served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Detective James J. Hantschel 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 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 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Racine Police Department, 3 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.1% of this agency's fallen.

Racine Police Department

of 13 officers

23.1% Felonious

WI — Statewide

159

of 317 officers

50.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious