Incident
Officer Rosario Collura and Officer Leonard Lesnieski were shot and killed when they interrupted a drug deal while on patrol. They observed four men in an alley and stopped to question them. They had patted down three of the suspects and were patting down the fourth suspect when the man produced a gun and shot both officers in the chest. The suspect fled but was later apprehended. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to two life terms. On November 16, 2010, he was sentenced to an additional 40 years for attacking and seriously injuring two correctional officers with a hammer. Officer Collura had served with the agency for 18 and a half years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-FB90C293- 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 Collura gave the Milwaukee Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Collura.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Rosario Joseph Collura 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. Rosario Joseph Collura's cause is highlighted.
How Rosario Joseph Collura Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rosario Joseph Collura is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rosario Joseph Collura was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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