Deputy Sheriff William Wank

William Wank

Deputy Sheriff William Wank was shot and killed as he and several deputies searched for two men who shot and badly beat a railroad detective in the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad yard in New Butler.

The two suspects escaped on a train bound for Fond du Lac. The deputies took up positions along a section of track where the train was ordered to stop. As the beam of the headlight fell on the deputies, a switchman standing on the first car opened fire with a shotgun, killing Deputy Wank and seriously wounding another deputy. He said he thought the deputies were the two suspects.

The switchman was arrested and charged with Deputy Wank's murder.

Deputy Wank was survived by his wife and five children.