Bio & Incident Details
Age: 39
Tour: 9 years
Badge # 6751
Cause: Gunfire (Accidental)
Incident Date: 10/18/1938
Weapon: Not available
Suspect: Not available
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Patrolman Hanke was accidentally shot and killed at a police firing range in the basement of the Fourteenth Regiment Armory in Brooklyn. Patrolman Hanke was serving as a pistol instructor when he was accidentally shot by a recruit. Patrolman Hanke had given the "fire" command to the recruit in the next lane over. The other recruit was startled by the command and accidentally pulled the trigger, striking Patrolman Hanke in the abdomen.
Patrolman Hanke was assigned to the Fourth Avenue Precinct (modern day 68th Precinct) but had been temporarily assigned as a pistol instructor. He had been with the agency for nine years and was survived by his wife and 5-year-old daughter.
