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Incident
Marshal Leonhard Scherger was shot and killed while questioning three suspicious men in a railroad yard near the water tower at 11:00 p.m.
The men had been seen throughout the day lurking around the town. As soon as he attempted to take them into custody, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot him, killing him instantly. They fled and were never apprehended.
Marshal Scherger had served with the Hartford Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and a fiancee.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Scherger gave the Hartford Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Scherger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leonhard is the only officer of Hartford Police Department remembered here.
Leonhard is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Leonhard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leonhard is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1904, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 82 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leonhard was 33. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Leonhard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Leonhard was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Leonhard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonhard was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leonhard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.5% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Saturdays: 25.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hartford Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.