Dennis K. Wesela was an extremely friendly and personable guy, with a wicked sense of humor. He was called "King" by family, serving as Best Man at his brother's wedding and Godfather to a nephew. At one time married and the father of two girls, Dennis also worked as a police office for 5 years prior to moving to Milwaukee.

Dennis was 38 years old when, working as a doorman/ bouncer at the Factory Bar, he was shot and killed by an irate patron. This was one of several closely spaced attacks on gay people, and together these attacks sparked unity and anti-violence campaigns by the gay community and forced awareness by civic leaders and the police.

Dennis was survived by his partner, John Rogge.