Officer Michael D. Hemschmeyer, Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

Officer Michael D. Hemschmeyer

Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Friday, November 2, 1973

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Michael D. Hemschmeyer

Officer Michael Hemschmeyer was killed in a traffic crash while responding to another officer’s call for assistance around 2 p.m.

A sedan that had pulled over for the officer’s emergency lights was struck from behind by a five-ton city garbage truck at 19th Avenue and the Salt River Bottom in Phoenix. The force of the collision threw the truck into the path of the approaching patrol car, killing Officer Hemschmeyer.

Officer Hemschmeyer was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Phoenix Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and two sisters.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 4 years
Badge 1845
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Automobile crash

officer assistance, vehicle crash

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Most Recent Reflection

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Dear, dear Mike, I hope you’re in a good place. You were my best friend since grade school, fellow seminary student, fellow Jesuit novice, fellow UW-M student, USN, and my best man. You left a big hole in my heart but I thank God for the time we had. God must have needed you more than your family and friends did. RIP, Mike.

David J de Harter, LCDR, MC, USN
Best friend Wisconsin

January 16, 2024