Grim tribute: Law enforcement officials remember colleagues who died in line of duty

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was a grim day of tribute in Milwaukee on Wednesday, May 7th, as law enforcement officials came together to remember their colleagues who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This year, they honored one fallen officer in particular.

Marcia Hasenstab was escorted by the head of the Milwaukee Police Association as she placed a wreath in honor of her late husband, Steven.

It has now been 25 years since Milwaukee Police Officer Steven Hasenstab died.

He was in his squad car going after a stolen car when his squad crashed.

Steven Hasenstab passed away that night, at the age of 33.

Brian O'Keefe was his partner at the time.

"The saddest part of Steve's death is their daughter Kara doesn't have many memories of him. She was only six when he died. She remembers him teaching her how to ride a bike, the giant dollhouse he built for her, the rainbow wallpaper he put up in her bedroom -- watching her play Mario Brothers and the fact he told her to never touch a gun," O'Keefe said.

Wreaths were also placed at MacArthur Square in honor of Glendale Police Officer Ronald Hedbany, who was shot while responding to a bank robbery in 1994 -- and Sheriff's Deputy Howard Grundman, who died following a motorcycle crash while en rote to serve a summons in 1934.

"Today we honor those who represented the very best in what policing is all about. The violence of their deaths is a counterpoint to the gentleness of their lives. Yet when duty called they accepted the challenge and the risk without hesitation," Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said.

"Today we speak to their courage -- but also to the years stolen from those who we honor. Our heroes deserve the privilege of peaceful years with loved ones after a job well done. They were denied this just reward," Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said.

To give you some perspective, the son of the Sheriff's deputy killed in 1934 was at the ceremony Wednesday. He is 82 years old. He was just two years old when his father was killed.