Incident
Detective Fred Lenzke suffered a fatal heart at the intersection of Green Street and Coronado Drive attack while on patrol. Detective Lenzke had served with the Racine Police Department for 31 years and had previously served with the Racine County Sheriff's Office. He was survived by his four brothers and two sisters. Another of Detective Lenzke's brothers, Patrolman Frank Lenzke, was accidentally shot and killed in the line of duty on May 13th, 1936.
Survivors
He was survived by his four brothers and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
31 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Lenzke gave the Racine Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Racine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lenzke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Racine Police Department has lost 13 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Fred is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in WI, 7.2% of the 318 remembered there.
Fred is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 2 officers in WI were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1967, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Fred was 61. Of the 22 lost to cardiac events in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 55.8; the middle age was 48.5. Fred had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Fred was 61. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Fred had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Fred was 61. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Fred had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 13% of these deaths in WI; May holds the most, 30.4%. Tuesdays: 26.1%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 23.1% of all 13 deaths at Racine Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 7.2% of all 318 deaths in WI, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Racine Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
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John Harms
Nov 18, 1918
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Alvin B. Christensen
Jul 13, 1930
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Jacob A. Mauer
Apr 28, 1931
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Harry C. Breheim
Aug 26, 1933
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John H. Anderson
Mar 10, 1935
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Frank F. Lenzke
May 13, 1936
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Arthur E. Lindstrom
Feb 12, 1951
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Harold Worden
Aug 25, 1955
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Lester McEachern
May 5, 1956
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James J. Hantschel
May 15, 1963
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Fred W. Lenzke
Feb 14, 1967
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James R. Fine
Jan 11, 1974
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John David Hetland
Jun 17, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Racine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.











