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Incident
Officer Dale TenHaken was shot and killed after making a traffic stop on the driver of a car for not having license plates or its headlights on at an apartment complex. During the traffic stop, Officer TenHaken radioed for backup. Responding officers found him lying face down between two vehicles with a gunshot wound to the back. Two juvenile suspects with outstanding warrants were later arrested in a neighboring county. The suspect who shot Officer TenHaken was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The accomplice was sentenced to 22 years. Officer TenHaken had served with the Manitowoc Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancée.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman TenHaken gave the Manitowoc Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Manitowoc community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman TenHaken.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Manitowoc Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dale is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Dale is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dale is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dale was 27. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Dale had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Dale was 27. 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. Dale had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dale was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dale had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.4% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Manitowoc Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Manitowoc Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Dale among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Manitowoc Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
