The FOP lodge will once again be honoring the fallen officers from our county with a Wreath Laying Ceremony at each gravesite. The date is Wednesday, May 15th 2019 and we plan to arrive at Spike Schmitt’s grave just before 5PM then travel to Leonard Scherger’s ETA 5:45PM and finally to Robert Backes’ grave at roughly 6:30PM. The ceremony is only a few minutes which includes Taps, Amazing Grace (bagpipes), and a tribute.
Deputy John M. Schmitt
Holy Trinity Cemetery
4403-4441 STH 28 Kewaskum
Marshal Leonard G.F. Scherger
Trinity Ev Lutheran
W747 County Road S
(Hwy S & Goodland) Hartford WI
Police Officer Robert D. Backes
St Boniface Cemetery
W204N11924 Goldendale Rd Germantown WI
POLICE OFFICER ROBERT D. BACKES
35 YEARS OLD AND A TWELVE-YEAR VETERAN OF THE GERMANTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
On March 21, 1981, Police Officer Backes stopped to assist a motorist who had been driving a vehicle with a flat tire. The motorist then attacked Officer Backes, resulting in a violent struggle between the suspect and Officer Backes. During the struggle, Officer Backes and the suspect fell to the roadway on Fond du Lac Avenue, whereupon they were struck and killed by a passing motorist who was unaware of the struggle taking place.
DEPUTY JOHN M. SCHMITT
31 YEARS OLD AND AN EIGHT-YEAR VETERAN OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
On Labor Day, September 7, 1998, Deputy Schmitt was the passenger in a marked squad car that was answering a call for assistance from a fellow officer. The squad was being operated under emergency conditions and was traveling northbound on US 45 in the Town of Kewaskum. Prior to reaching the destination, this squad was involved in a multi-vehicle rollover car accident. Deputy Schmitt died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
MARSHAL LEONARD GEORGE FREDERICH SCHERGER
33 YEARS OLD AND A TWO-YEAR VETERAN OF THE HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
On May 21, 1904, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Marshal Scherger responded to a report of suspicious individuals at the railroad freight depot located in the area of Fifth Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Described as transients, the three men pulled handguns and fired when confronted by Marshal Scherger. Marshal Scherger died at the scene with gunshot wounds to the head. This murder was never solved.