Man charged in Racine police officer's death waives preliminary hearing

 

RACINE (CBS 58) –The man charged in the shooting death of off-duty Racine police officer John Hetland will stand trial.

Delquavis Ward waived his rights to a preliminary hearing in court Wednesday in front of more than a dozen Racine police officers sitting in the gallery.

After court, Racine officers lined up in support as the family of officer John Hetland walked out of court.

Ward is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Prosecutors say ward was armed when he attempted to rob Teezers bar on June 17th.

That's when they say officer Hetland stepped in to try and stop the robbery and ward shot and killed him.

Ward was on the run for 10 days before police were able to use his DNA found at the bar to track him down and arrest him.

Ward could spend the rest of his life behind bars if he’s found guilty.

His bail is set at $5 million and his next court date is August 7.