Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Wendolyn Tanner was shot and killed during a foot chase of a known felon and parole violator that he and his partner were attempting to arrest. During the chase, the suspect fired several shots at the officers. One bullet struck Officer Tanner in the side, between the panels of his vest. His partner was able to return fire and shot the suspect. The man was taken into custody after officers followed his blood trail. Officer Tanner had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-F717B1F8- 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.
Police Officer Tanner gave the Milwaukee Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tanner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Wendolyn Odell Tanner 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. Wendolyn Odell Tanner's cause is highlighted.
How Wendolyn Odell Tanner Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wendolyn Odell Tanner is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wendolyn Odell Tanner was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
68 officers from Milwaukee Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
