Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch: Monday, May 11, 1959
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 11, 1959
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Sergeant William Herkal was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at a store on East Lake Street.
The manager had hit the alarm button and another employee in the back called the police. Two detectives arrived first and were able to grab the suspects. However, one of the men broke free and exchanged shots with a detective. As the man ran out of the door he encountered Sergeant Herkal, who was just arriving. He shot Sergeant Herkal three times with a .38 caliber revolver before being shot and critically wounded by another officer with a riot gun. The other suspect was taken into custody inside the store.
Sergeant Herkal's killer was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on June 10, 1959. The other suspect was convicted of third degree murder.
Sergeant Herkal had been employed with the Minneapolis Police Department for 11 years and is survived by his wife and four children.