Mike Johnson, Marisa Peryer and Joe Taschler | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Angela Peterson, Marisa Peryer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

RACINE - Veteran Racine police officer John Hetland jumped over the bar, confronted a masked, armed man who was robbing Teezers Bar and Grill, then was shot during a struggle with the gunman, authorities said during a news conference Tuesday.

Hetland was off duty and had apparently gone to the establishment to grab a bite to eat with a friend, said Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department is taking the lead in the investigation of Hetland's killing.

Racine Police Department

No arrests have been made in the shooting at the tavern, 1936 Lathrop Ave.

Beth said the reward for information related to Hetland's murder has grown to $27,000, with the FBI putting up a $20,000 reward, Andis Co. a $5,000 reward and Crime Stoppers of Racine County a $2,000 reward.

In addition to the Kenosha County sheriff, officers throughout southeast Wisconsin, as well as the Wisconsin Department of Justice, are working the case, Beth said.

An intense manhunt continues for the suspect, Beth said.

"We have teams of people going out and investigating every single lead we have right now," Beth said.

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The events leading up to Hetland being shot began around 9:45 p.m. Monday, Beth said.

The robber, wielding a gun, went behind the bar and demanded money, Beth said.

Hetland then "jumped over the bar to do his best to take the suspect out," Beth said.

During the struggle, the robber was able to put some distance between himself and Hetland and fired, striking the officer once.

Beth said it is unknown whether Hetland was armed or whether he identified himself as a police officer when he confronted the gunman.

Beth said investigators will never know whether the gunman would have shot other people in the bar had Hetland not intervened.

"We know that one person gave his life so everybody else would be safe," Beth said.

Popular veteran officer

Hetland was a 24-year department veteran and was well-known in the city, said Racine Mayor Cory Mason.

"He is a beloved figure here in the Racine Police Department," Mason said.

"Everyone is mourning today," Mason said. "Everyone is still in shock."

"It is with profound sadness and grief that we announce the line of duty death," Racine Police Chief Arthel L. Howell said in a news release.

"Officer Hetland was a trusted and highly respected member of the department, serving in various positions over the years, including an assignment as a field training officer, as well as a member of the Greater Racine FBI Gang Task Force," Howell said.

The department created a GoFundMe to raise money for Hetland's family. Donors raised about $11,000 as of Tuesday evening. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele appeared to have donated $5,000. Hetland has two children, according to the page.

Tuesday evening the department opened another fundraiser page through the website Band of Blue. Anyone looking to donate to Hetland's family should visit the Band of Blue page, the department announced. The GoFundMe money will be added to this fund.

Hetland was contemplating retiring in December when he turned 50, said Jim Palmer, the executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

Hetland served with Palmer on the board of directors for the WPPA, which represents 10,000 active and retired law enforcement members from almost 300 local unions and associations.

As Racine officers searched the area around the bar for the suspect, they issued a safety alert advising people to turn their exterior lights on and remain indoors.

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Police radio traffic and Beth described the suspect as a black man in his 20s and about 5-feet-8 to 5-feet-10 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt and a black bandanna or neoprene motorcycle mask over the lower part of his face at the time of the robbery.

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department released an image of the suspect that was captured by a surveillance camera. "All you could see was just his eyes," Beth said.

Kenosha County Sheriff's Department

"We have some video," Beth added. "We’re obtaining more video from area businesses."

"All I can say is that thoughts and prayers are with the family and that the police have our full cooperation in apprehending this guy," said D.J. Daams, one of Teezers co-owners, who was not at the bar when the shooting occurred. "This is a ... heart-breaking situation and John was a hero. If it wasn’t for his heroic act no one can predict the outcome."

Palmer, the police association executive director, said he has attended more law enforcement funerals than he can count, but the fatal shooting in Racine is the first time he knew the slain officer personally.

"The thing that perhaps we're best known for is representing officers any time day or night when bad things happen," Palmer said. "And John was always a staunch advocate for making sure that we would be there as an organization and serve members to the fullest and be there when they need us the most.

"That's one of the things I will remember about him the most: just his dedication not only to his community but to his profession," Palmer said.

Marisa Peryer/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Beth and Mason said there has been an outpouring of support for Hetland and Racine police, with residents lining up to drop off flowers and meals for officers at the scene of the shooting.

Abel Aguirre, 40, a member of Hope City Church, arrived near the scene about 11 a.m. Tuesday and said a prayer. He was wearing a T-shirt that said, "Not today Satan."

“Enough is enough,” he said regarding violence in the city. “We have to come together as one.”

Marisa Peryer/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department at (262) 656-1234. Citizens who wish to remain anonymous may contact Racine County Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330.

Ashley Luthern and Sophie Carson of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

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Off-duty officers killed overnight