Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Joseph Lecher succumbed to gunshot wounds received one month earlier while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect in the man's residence at the 5400 block of W. Wells Street in Milwaukee. Although severely wounded, Officer Lecher was able to return fire and wound the suspect. The suspect, who had served multiple prison terms, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 14-25 years in prison. Officer Lecher had been with the Milwaukee Police Department for nearly ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-447F0005- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lecher gave the Milwaukee Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lecher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph A. Lecher is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 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 3.7 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph A. Lecher's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph A. Lecher Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph A. Lecher is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph A. Lecher was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from Milwaukee Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
