Hartford Police offering reward after antique police hat stolen from lobby

HARTFORD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Back on August 30 around 5:00 p.m., Hartford Police officers noticed that the uniform hat belonging to Hartford Marshal Leonard G.F. Scherger had been removed from a display case in the police department lobby.

Video of the lobby area was checked through early July but no suspects could be identified.

An investigation revealed that a locking mechanism had been improperly installed that allowed the locked display case to be forcibly opened and re-secured without damaging the case. Police believe that is how the suspect entered the case and removed the item. The case has since been secured.

The uniform hat belonged to Marshall Scherger who was killed in the line of duty on May 27, 1904. His uniform hat was donated for display in the cases at his namesake Scherger Hall by his family in 2013. Other items belonging to Marshall Scherger displayed in the case were left by the suspect

The actual value of the hat cannot be accurately determined, but the obvious value to Marshal Scherger's family, the Hartford Police Department, and the Hartford Community are beyond measure.

The suspect's motivation is also extremely difficult to determine as evil intent appears to be the only rational reason a person would commit the crime.

Police are asking for anyone with knowledge of the suspect or suspects or the location of the hat to contact the Hartford Police Department. A $500 reward is being offered by the Hartford Police Department for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Hartford Police Department at 262-673-2600.