Off-duty officer shot in Racine, gunman still at large

By Denise Lockwood, Racine County Eye

Officials with the Racine Police Department have identified the shooting victim as John Hetland, an off-duty police officer with the Racine Police Department.

Hetland was shot during an armed robbery that happened at about 10 p.m. Monday night at Teezer’s Bar, 1936 Lathrop Ave., in Racine.

Racine Police and other law enforcement agencies immediately launched a manhunt. The shooter remains at-large.

In a statement released by the Racine Police Department, they noted that Hetland served on the department for 24 years.

“Officer Hetland was a trusted and highly respected member of the department, serving in various positions over the years, including an assignment as a field training officer, as well as a member of the Greater Racine FBI Gang Task Force.”

D.J. Daams, who co-owns the bar with Dino Paros, said that a man came in the back door of the bar holding a gun.

“(He) walks behind the bar and starts to rob Heidi (a bartender),” he said. “A guy jumps off the bat onto him and they wrestle. He gets free and shoots him.”

That guy was Hetland.

“We are truly heartbroken with this situation,” Daams said. “If it wasn’t for a hero and his heroic act who knows how this turns out..”

Racine County Eye also learned from an eye witness that the suspect ran out the back door and jumped the fence.

The suspect is described as a black male, who is in his 20s, about 5-foot eight-inches tall and 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black neoprene motorcycle bandanna and navy blue hooded sweatshirt.

Kenosha County Investigators are interested in any additional information anyone may have
regarding this crime. Witnesses or citizens with any information are urged to contact the
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department at (262) 656-1234. Citizens who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330, or text 274637 (CRIMES). Text message should begin with RACS.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Racine County Eye and is being republished by permission. View the original story here.