John A. Machajewski
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Police Officer

John A. Machajewski

Milwaukee Police Department — Milwaukee, WI
Felonious
End of Watch December 23, 1981
Age 24
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 125 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Machajewski and Officer Charles Mehlberg were shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery call at a local bar. The officers observed a man run by them carrying a woman's bag, and they began to pursue him. The suspect set up an ambush and shot the officers as they neared him. The man was arrested by other responding officers. The suspect was convicted of both murders and sentenced to two life sentences plus 110 years. Officer Machajewski had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and preceded in death by his daughter.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Machajewski gave the Milwaukee Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Machajewski.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI
Platform Identity mpd.milwaukee.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 23, 1981
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 24
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 24. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Milwaukee Police Department has 69 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer John A. Machajewski

Milwaukee Police Department · End of Watch December 23, 1981

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E

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