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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Wank was shot and killed as he and several deputies searched for two men who shot and badly beat a railroad detective in the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad yard in New Butler.
The two suspects escaped on a train bound for Fond du Lac. The deputies took up positions along a section of track where the train was ordered to stop. As the beam of the headlight fell on the deputies, a switchman standing on the first car opened fire with a shotgun, killing Deputy Wank and seriously wounding another deputy. He said he thought the deputies were the two suspects.
The switchman was arrested and charged with Deputy Wank's murder.
Deputy Wank was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Wank was survived by his wife and five children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Wank served with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wank.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has lost 13 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1915, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 48. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
William was 48. 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.
William was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 5.7% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 15.4% of all 13 deaths at Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department has 13 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Wank
Aug 18, 1915
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Frank X. Heup
Nov 1, 1915
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George Pazik
May 30, 1917
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Earl R. Haslam
Jan 4, 1929
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Howard F. Grundman
Jan 30, 1934
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Al Beckemeier
May 10, 1947
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Lloyd Rhodes
Nov 17, 1951
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Wallace Neil Schilling
Oct 8, 1975
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John Valentine Trandel
May 1, 1981
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David Michael Demos
Jan 25, 1997
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Sung Hui Bang
Aug 17, 2000
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Ralph Edward Zylka
Aug 17, 2000
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Sergio Aleman
Jul 31, 2012
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 Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
