Fond du Lac Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 31, 1961
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 6
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 29, 1961
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life plus 20 years
Patrolman Nick Klaske was shot and killed after responding to a burglary call at a local gas station. When he arrived he surprised three suspects in the act of robbery and engaged the suspects in a foot pursuit, during which one of the suspects suddenly turned and opened fire with a .25 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Klaske in the abdomen. Patrolman Klaske succumbed to his wounds two days later.
One suspect, 17, was arrested at the scene by Fon du Lac police. The other two, 24 and 25, were captured near Sun Prairie in Dane County a short time later after a 70 mile high speed chase. The older suspect admitted that he shot Patrolman Klaske. He threw the revolver he used out of the car window just before he was apprehended. He was convicted of his murder and burglary and sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison. On January 15, 1973, he applied for parole. The result is unknown. The other suspects were convicted of third degree murder and several burglaries and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Patrolman Klaske had served with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his expectant wife and three children.