Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Zingler was shot and mortally wounded when he walked in on three armed robbers beating a night watchman in a grocery store. He was walking his beat and decided to go into the store to talk to the watchman and warm his hands. As he entered he exchanged gunfire with the men and was shot in the abdomen. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. All three suspects were eventually apprehended. All three suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1936 two of the suspect's sentences were reduced to one to 14 years, and both were paroled a few months later. In 1942 the third suspect's sentence was reduced to 20 years. Officer Zingler had been with the agency for nine years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-EDB0EF04- 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 Richard. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Zingler 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 Zingler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Richard R. Zingler 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 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. Richard R. Zingler's cause is highlighted.
How Richard R. Zingler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard R. Zingler is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard R. Zingler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from Milwaukee Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
