Benefit held for deceased Racine police officer Soderberg
RACINE (WITI) -- He served and protected the city of Racine for 30 years, and even gained notoriety nationwide. But last December, former Racine police officer Jon Soderberg lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
It was a long four year battle of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Soderberg and his family still have outstanding medicals bills, but Saturday night, the people who loved him were on a mission to help the family ease that burden.
"He leaves a big long lasting legacy behind," said Soderberg's step daughter Megan Lisica. "Jon just really accepted everybody for exactly who they were he never expected more of you, you were just OK the way you were, we can remember him for who he was and the people that loved him during his life instead of just remembering the bad times."
At the Roundabout Bar and Grill, the band played on, as people walked the aisles and eyed their favorite items to raise money for Soderberg's family.
"We had many excellent investigators but he was on top, he was the top," said former Racine County District Attorney Bob Flancher.
The former D.A. tells us he and Soderberg worked with each other for many years in the court system, but the two became close after they both retired.
"I loved Jon, I love Sue his wife but I"m just one of many," said Flancher.
We found out Soderberg was featured on the History Channel show "Gangland," in 2008.
"That was our own TV hero, TV star for Racine," added Flancher.
Lisica told us Soderberg spent his retirement years active on his farm raising horses. He leaves behind his wife of 27 years, four grown daughters and eight grandchildren. Soderberg would've been 62 years old Jan. 29.