Manitowoc Police officer Dale TenHaken was murdered while on duty 22-years ago tonight in the city.
TenHaken was shot in the back by a 17-year old youth after the 27-year old officer made a traffic stop in a parking lot at the corner of Reed Avenue & Johnston Drive.
Jason Halda and Michael Watts were later arrested, charged and convicted of party to the crime of 1st degree Intentional Homicide.
Halda who discharged the murder weapon is serving life in prison without parole while Watts received a life term but is scheduled to be up for a parole board review in 2021.
Detective Captain David Vorpahl, a former colleague of TenHaken’s on the night shift, said September 23rd 1998 always brings back feelings and emotions from that night. Vorpahl added “it was one of those experiences that you can’t undo.”
