Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 31, 1973
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 6 years, 2 months
Badge Number: 1356
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 31, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officers Gerald Hempe and Charles Smith were shot and killed during a traffic stop at 10:06 pm.
While attempting to arrest the driver of the vehicle, a struggle ensued. During the struggle, a bystander who witnessed the stop walked up to the officers and opened fire, striking them both in the neck and head. The bystander had nothing to do with the stop.
The suspect, 27, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences on June 12, 1973. He was denied parole in 2010 and 2023. He has another parole hearing on May 11, 2027.
Officer Hempe had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for six years.