Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant William Herkal was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at a store at 2124 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. The manager had hit the alarm button, and another employee in the back called the police. Two detectives arrived first and were able to grab the suspects. However, one of the men broke free and exchanged shots with a detective. As the man ran out of the door, he encountered Sergeant Herkal, who was just arriving. He shot Sergeant Herkal three times with a .38 caliber revolver before being shot and critically wounded by another officer with a riot gun. The other suspect was taken into custody inside the store. Sergeant Herkal's killer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on June 10, 1959. The other suspect was convicted of third-degree murder. Sergeant Herkal had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
She is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-AE373173- 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.
Sergeant Herkal gave the Minneapolis Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Herkal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William F. Herkal 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Minneapolis Police Department, 32 of 50 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Herkal's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Herkal Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Herkal is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Herkal was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
49 officers from Minneapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
