RACINE -- An off-duty Racine police officer has died after a shooting that took place Monday night.
Officer John Hetland was at Teezers Tavern in Racine when he intervened in an armed robbery and was shot.
"Last night in Racine we lost one of our superheroes. He wasn’t even officially working at the time and he was doing what he was trained to do for the last 24 years and that’s to protect the public," said Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.
Officer Hetland has served the Racine Police Department for 24 years. His last day of service was June 17.
Long procession for Officer John Hetland. @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/eh7dYNrnf8
— James Groh (@JamesGroh_) June 18, 2019
Hetland also served as a field training officer and a member of the Greater Racine FBI Gang Task Force.
"You know It’s a loss. It’s a loss for all of us. That’s one more person not protecting us," said Michelle Hyatt.
The investigation and the search for the suspect both remain active.
"It’s like my God I hope they get this guy! Anybody that would do something like that obviously doesn’t care about nothing," said Kurt, a neighbor.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department at 262-656-1234.
