Stolen police hat returned to Hartford Police Station

NOW: Stolen police hat returned to Hartford Police Station

HARTFORD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The hat worn by an officer killed in the duty more than 100 years ago is now back home at the Hartford police station. 

"I was steaming it and reshaping it and I actually had to stop and put the hat down for a minute because I realized I could smell the Marshall's Bay Rum hairdressing that he would use," said Brass Rooster Master Hatter John McLaughlin. 

A piece of history is now back at home at the Hartford Police Department. 

"It's a great Christmas present for Hartford PD," Hartford Police Chief David Groves said. 

Hartford Marshal Leonard Scherger was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1904. Years later, his great-nephew Ronald Kadolph donated Sherger's hat to the Harford Police Department 

"It shows me that they really care about Sherger and his legacy," said Kadolph. 

In August, someone stole the hat from the display case at the police station. 

"It's something I wanted the City of Hartford to have that cap as part of their history and to have it taken, it was just not very good," Kadolph said. 

After a long investigation, the hat was found at the bottom of a retention pond and recovered. That's when the restoration began. After days of work, it's now back home on its shelf. 

"This man wore that hat. It was the hat of his profession and that item symbolizes who he was and his role in our community," said leather expert Izzy Jaecks. 

Hartford Police caught the suspect accused of stealing the hat and he is now facing several fines. 

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