Rosario Joseph Collura
Agency patch
Police Officer

Rosario Joseph Collura

Milwaukee Police Department — Milwaukee, WI
Felonious
End of Watch March 19, 1985
Age 39
Tour of Duty 18 yrs 5 mo
The Vigil Panel 129 ›
Gender Male

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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rosario. 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 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

Location Milwaukee, WI
Platform Identity mpd.milwaukee.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 19, 1985
Tour of Duty 18 yrs 5 mo
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to life

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.

Milwaukee Police Department
42
of 69 officers
60.9% Felonious
WI — Statewide
159
of 317 officers
50.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rosario Joseph Collura's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Rosario Joseph Collura Compares

Age at End of Watch
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
18.4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

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.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rosario Joseph Collura was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location