Wisconsin Troopers Association

Today marks the 45th anniversary of Trooper Gary Powless’s the line of duty death.

On May 18, 1980, Trooper Gary Powless, 31 years of age and a one-year veteran with the Wisconsin State Patrol, made the ultimate sacrifice when he lost his life in the line of duty while working traffic patrol in Monroe County.

Trooper Powless sustained fatal injuries when the patrol vehicle he was operating was struck by a tractor trailer unit that had lost control due to an equipment failure.

On April 22, 1993, Trooper William Schoenberger, 31 years of age and an eight-year veteran with the Wisconsin State Patrol, made the ultimate sacrifice when he lost his life in the line of duty while working traffic patrol in Eau Claire County.

Trooper Schoenberger sustained fatal injuries when his patrol vehicle was struck from behind by a passing tractor trailer as he was assisting at the scene of a vehicle fire.