Summit Township Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch Sunday, January 26, 1975
Add to My HeroesWayne W. Olson
Patrolman Wayne Olson and Patrolman Robert Atkins were shot and killed in front of the police station as they began their shift.
For several days all shifts had been doubled due to a recent rash of burglaries, including three at the police station. Shortly after midnight a citizen heard several gun shots in front of the city hall. At approximately 0400 hours units began looking for the officers who failed to respond to radio calls.
Patrolman Olson's body was located behind some bushes in front of town hall and Patrolman Atkins' body was found in the woods just south of town hall. An all-day search led officers to the home of a 16-year-old boy. Evidence of the burglaries and murders were found in his bedroom. The suspect was declared insane and committed to a mental institution. He was released in 2013.
Patrolman Olson was survived by his wife and daughter.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour 2 years
- Badge 3
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Released in 2013
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 Reflections"To all who have given the ultimate sacrifice and now make that one final patrol. Their duty was to serve, our duty is to remember". Gone but not forgotten Patrolman Wayne Olson.
G. Birkholz
mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, Fond du Lac PD, EOW 3/20/11
January 7, 2014
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