Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective George Schmidling was shot and killed after arresting three burglary suspects. Detective Schmidling was investigating a burglary when he located the three subjects eating at a downtown Waukesha restaurant and waited for them to leave before making contact with them. Detective Schmidling asked the trio to come back to the station for questioning, and the three agreed. It is believed that Detective Schmidling patted down the three subjects before riding in the front passenger seat with the trio to the police station a few blocks away. Unbeknownst to Detective Schmidling, two of the subjects were hiding handguns between the seats, and one pulled a gun out and pointed it at Detective Schmidling. Detective Schmidling grabbed the barrel but was shot once in the chest and once in the shoulder. Detective Schmidling returned fire from his duty revolver, fatally wounding the shooter and then mortally wounding the driver, who was also attempting to pull out a gun. Detective Schmidling opened the passenger door to escape and rolled out of the vehicle onto the roadway in sight of another Waukesha Police Officer who was driving by. The officer did not recognize the fatally wounded Detective and pursued the fleeing vehicle. He fired two warning shots at the car and eventually ran it off the road north of the City on Highway 164 near Hwy JJ. One subject lay dead in the back seat, the driver was mortally wounded and died the next day at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, and the third subject was not wounded and was taken into custody. The surviving subject was sentenced to 45 years in prison and was released in 1969 on parole after serving 18 years. Detective Schmidling was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Waukesha Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and three children. Detective Schmidling was the first Waukesha Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. The Department's Firing Range was named after him in 1981, and a memorial
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-34ECD2F3- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Schmidling gave the Waukesha Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waukesha 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
George A. Schmidling served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective George A. Schmidling 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 Waukesha Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George A. Schmidling's cause is highlighted.
How George A. Schmidling Compares
Offender Outcome
Two shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George A. Schmidling is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George A. Schmidling was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Waukesha Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
