Patrolman William Russell Mehlhorn, Jr., Waterloo Police Department, Iowa

Patrolman William Russell Mehlhorn, Jr.

Waterloo Police Department, Iowa

End of Watch Saturday, January 14, 1956

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William Russell Mehlhorn, Jr.

Patrolman William Mehlhorn was shot and killed with his own weapon, a .357-caliber Colt revolver, while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect at The Martin Hotel on Sycamore Street in Waterloo.

The suspect was shot and wounded by another officer. The suspect's wound caused him to be paralyzed until his death six years later.

Patrolman Mehlhorn had served with the Waterloo Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

arrest attempt

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Most Recent Reflection

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William R. Mehlhorn was my father who was killed in the line of duty in January 1956.
I was 10 years old at the time. My other sisters were age 11 and a year and a half and my brother was 3. It shattered our family. He is buried ay Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery along with my mother. He has been remembered everyday of my life.

KATHLEEN F. CHRISTENSEN
daughter

March 1, 2024