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Police Officer Richard R. Zingler | Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin

Police Officer

Richard R. Zingler

Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin

End of Watch: Wednesday, February 8, 1933

Biographical Info

Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 871

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 6, 1933
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Officer Zingler was shot and mortally wounded when he walked in on three armed robbers beating a night watchman in a grocery store. He was walking his beat and decided to go into the store to talk to the watchman and warm his hands. As he entered he exchanged gunfire with the men and was shot in the abdomen. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. All three suspects were eventually apprehended.

All three suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1936 two of the suspect's sentences were reduced to one to 14 years, and both were paroled a few months later. In 1942 the third suspect's sentence was reduced to 20 years.

Officer Zingler had been with the agency for nine years.