Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Wannenwetsch was shot and killed after interrupting two burglars attempting to break into a safe in a store. When he went to investigate a noise the suspects opened fire, striking him several times. He was able to return fire but did not strike the suspects, who fled to Spokane.
Survivors
Chief Wannenwetsch had served in law enforcement for 3 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-00CBE581- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Wannenwetsch gave the Colville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wannenwetsch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John M. Wannenwetsch 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Colville Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Wannenwetsch's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Wannenwetsch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Wannenwetsch is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Wannenwetsch was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Colville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
