Sergeant Wencewicz suffered a fatal heart attack following a high speed pursuit and a struggle with a suspect. Police were patrolling Willmore Park when they saw a vehicle take off at a high rate of speed on Hampton Avenue. The chase reached speeds of 80 mph before at the intersection of Hampton and Devonshire, the 16 year-old's car collided with a squad car blocking the intersection. The chase then continued north on Hampton Avenue. Sergeant Wencewicz parked his car sideways in front of the Hampton Avenue police station and the youth stopped. After a struggle the youth was arrested and found to be carrying a concealed weapon, a knife.

Sergeant James J. Wencewicz, DSN 4881, was originally hired as a civilian employee, in the Cadet Program, on 10/07/196, received his commission on 06/21/1965 and entered the academy. He started his career working at the Board of Police Commissioners, followed by other assignments at the Police Academy, Board of Police Commissioners, 4Th District, and finally the Bureau of Investigation.

Sergeant Wencewicz complained of chest pains and was taken to Firmin Desloge Hospital where he died at 4:00 pm. Sergeant Wencewicz was survived by his wife, Judy, and three children, Kimberly, Karen and Stephanie.