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Incident
Detective Lester McEachern suffered a fatal heart attack after he and his partner apprehended an escaped mental patient.
Following a brief struggle the suspect was taken into custody and placed in the patrol car. Detective McEachern suffered the heart attack moments later.
Detective McEachern had served with the Racine Police Department for 34 years.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtn4p4en0bz72wn3evech- Stewardship
- 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
34 years. You could have gone home.
Detective McEachern gave the Racine Police Department 34 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 McEachern.
— 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.
Lester is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in WI, 7.2% of the 318 remembered there.
Lester is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lester is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1956, 1 officer in WI was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1956, 13 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1956, 13 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 43rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Lester was 60. 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. Lester had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Lester was 60. 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. Lester had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Lester was 60. 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. Lester had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
May holds 30.4% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Saturdays: 26.1%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 23.1% of all 13 deaths at Racine Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 7.2% of all 318 deaths in WI, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 13% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Racine Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Lester 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 63-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.
