Patrol Officer Peter Arthur Larsen, Beloit Police Department, Wisconsin

Patrol Officer Peter Arthur Larsen

Beloit Police Department, Wisconsin

End of Watch Sunday, November 15, 1998

Peter Arthur Larsen

Officer Peter Larsen died of a gunshot wound received fourteen years earlier when he responded to a kidnapping complaint. After arriving on the scene the suspect, who was the victim's estranged boyfriend, shot both Officer Larsen and the kidnapping victim twice in the head. The kidnapping victim died the following month. Officer Larsen was left a quadriplegic and in a comatose state until his death in November. Officer Larsen died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his wife had taken care of him after the shooting. Officer Larsen is buried in Emerald Grove Cemetery, Emerald Grove, Wisconsin.

The suspect was sentenced to 77 years in prison for the initial shooting, attempted murder, and kidnapping. In April 2000 he committed suicide while in prison in Racine. Because of this incident, the State of Wisconsin has a new law that states if you attempt to kill a police officer, you will be charged with murder.

Officer Larsen had served with the agency for 16 years. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

Age 51
Tour 16 years
Badge 23

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Friday, January 4, 1985
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to 77 years

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Most Recent Reflection

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In 1980 I was hired to go under as a security officer to investigate theft of drugs at the local hospital. That's when I met Officer Larsen. Can't say how good it felt when he, or any Beloit Police Officer, (OK, Township Officers too....) would respond to the ER for whatever reason. Pete was special. As was Chief Tubbs, and now Chief Jacobs.... Officer Fahrney.... we did good work at the college and I wish you were around the night I got beat up. I know you would have had my back. Or when we lost the student we had warrants after we took him out of the T-House. I never told you I called the frat that trashed your car. I told them we knew it was them and one of them confessed the next day. Also, part of the retaliation was the bust for all the weed in Chapin. Wasn't that funny when you torn your shoulder up on your first forced entry... oh the good times. My respect to you all.. we do what we need to do.... because evil prevails when good men/women do nothing.

Cpl Erickson EMT
Beloit Hospital/College

November 18, 2016