Killed in the Line of Duty

Officer T.P. “Perry” Gates was born in La Crosse on April 7, 1863. On September 13, 1897, he was sworn as a member of the La Crosse Police Department.

On September 7, 1900, just before 1:00 a.m., information was received by the La Crosse Police Department from authorities in La Crescent, MN that a robbery had occurred and three armed suspects were possibly heading toward La Crosse. The three men had reportedly entered a railroad boxcar and robbed the men that were in the boxcar at gunpoint. One of the victims, Mr. Alfred Carlson, refused to give up his money and was brutally whipped by one of the robbers who took $9.00 from him. The robbers then fled on foot, and the incident was reported to the Minnesota authorities.

Upon receiving the bulletin about the crime and suspects, Officer Gates suggested that the on-duty officers search the area around the Mississippi River Wagon Bridge. Officers Gates and Schubert hitched up the police patrol horse and buggy, while Officers Jacques and Horschak headed down to the area on foot. When Gates and Schubert reached the wagon bridge, the tollmaster advised them that three men had just left the bridge about 10 minutes earlier. Schubert and Gates then began to search the area for the suspects and spotted three men matching the description at the intersection of Third and King Streets. Gates stopped the buggy and jumped out, drew his weapon, and ordered the three men to halt. At this time, according to Officer Schubert, the men who were standing three abreast, stopped. One then yelled something to the effect, “throw up!” and all three drew handguns and began firing at Officer Gates. The shots scared the horses and they bolted and ran, carrying Officer Schubert away from the scene, with the three men firing at him at this time. By the time Officer Schubert could stop the horses and return to his partner, Officer Gates was lying dead in the street. He had fired his weapon but was struck by one bullet in the abdomen and one in the right arm.

Officer T. P. “Perry” Gates died at the age of 37 in the service of the City of La Crosse. His death orphaned his three children. Officer Gates was loved by his family, respected by his fellow officers, and sorely missed by all in death.

This story is based on extensive research completed by retired LCPD Lieutenant Daniel J. Marcou and summarized based on Lt. Dan's historical writings. The date of death was confirmed by an uncertified Death Certificate provided by the La Crosse County Register of Deeds.

Officer Frank Groeschner was sworn as a police officer in 1907 and eventually became an elite member of the motorcycle police squad, which had been in existence since 1910.

Officer Groeschner was on patrol on November 8, 1916 on his Police Motorcycle when he was struck by a Gund Brewery truck and killed instantly in the intersection of 3rd and State Streets. The driver of the truck was not charged, and the incident would be regarded as a tragic traffic accident.

Officer Frank Groeschner did not die in a hail of bullets. He did not die performing a gallant act of heroism. Instead, he died doing what every cop does day in and day out. He was on routine patrol serving the City of La Crosse as a La Crosse Police Officer.

This story is based on extensive research completed by retired LCPD Lieutenant Daniel J. Marcou and summarized based on Lt. Dan's historical writings. The date of death was confirmed by an uncertified Death Certificate provided by the La Crosse County Register of Deeds.

Joseph Donndelinger was born January 13, 1901. Joe and his wife, Clara, had four children. Around December 1937, the family was excitedly waiting to move into the new house that Joe was building for them.

On December 5, 1937, Officer Donndelinger’s was assigned a beat car with a rookie officer by the name of Granville (Granny) Smith. While on patrol in their cruiser on Jackson Street, they both observed a vehicle shoot through the intersection of Fifth and Jackson Streets. Not only was it speeding, the driver also ignored a stop sign.

The Officers stopped the vehicle, which was driven by Floyd Wagener. Unknown to the Officers, Wagener was driving a stolen vehicle. He had just dropped off two companions at Sears, and they were burglarizing the business in an attempt to crack the safe inside.

Officer Smith made contact with Wagener and told him the reason for a stop. It was determined that Wagener be cited, and he was told to report to the Police Station. Wagener told Smith that he didn’t know where the Station was, and to the surprise of Officer Donndelinger, Smith got in the car with Wagener to direct him to the Station.

Officer Donndelinger began to follow Wagener. At the intersection of Fifth and State Streets, Wagener told Smith he had to roll down his window, but instead armed himself with a revolver. Wagener shoved the revolver into Smith’s ribs and demanded that Smith direct him to the Minnesota border. Officer Donndelinger immediately recognized there was a problem and began pursuing the vehicle as it sped through traffic. Eventually, Officer James Christie joined the pursuit.

While heading over the bridge toward Minnesota, Wagener fired at the pursuing Officers and Christie returned fire. Approximately 200 feet from MN, Officer Donndelinger was able to pull alongside Wagener and force him off the road. Officer Donndelinger ran towards the vehicle and found Officer Smith still in the front seat. He shortly found himself face-to-face with Wagener who was now armed with his own and Officer Smith’s revolvers, intent on escaping at all costs.

Officer Donndelinger ordered Wagener to drop his weapons, but instead, Wagener opened fire and Donndelinger returned. In the end, both were hit three times. Wagener was struck three times in the arm, shattering the elbow. Officer Donndelinger was struck in the right arm, the right leg, and under his heart. He was rushed to the hospital by Officer Christie.

Joe waged a five-day battle for survival but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on December 10, 1937.

This story is based on extensive research completed by retired LCPD Lieutenant Daniel J. Marcou and summarized based on Lt. Dan's historical writings. The date of death was confirmed by an uncertified Death Certificate provided by the La Crosse County Register of Deeds.