Incident
Marshal Leonhard Scherger was shot and killed while questioning three suspicious men in a railroad yard near the water tower at 11:00 p.m.
The men had been seen throughout the day lurking around the town. As soon as he attempted to take them into custody, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot him, killing him instantly. They fled and were never apprehended.
Marshal Scherger had served with the Hartford Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and a fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-1F661B41- 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.
Marshal Scherger gave the Hartford Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Scherger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Leonhard George Scherger 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonhard George Scherger's cause is highlighted.
How Leonhard George Scherger Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonhard George Scherger is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonhard George Scherger was killed by gun; unknown type.