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Incident
Sheriff Donald Eustice was shot and killed while serving mental commitment papers on a subject. As he and another deputy approached the man's farmhouse, the subject acknowledged them and then shot the unarmed Sheriff Eustice in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun. The other deputy then ordered the man to drop his gun and took him into custody. The subject, 64, was found incompetent to stand trial and committed to a mental institution at St. Peter where he died in 1984. Sheriff Eustice had served in law enforcement for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Eustice gave the Waseca County Sheriff's Office 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Waseca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Eustice.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald Dean Eustice served in the U.S. Navy (1946â1948) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Waseca County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 47. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Donald had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Donald was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.4% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Waseca County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Waseca County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Where
Military Service
Donald Dean Eustice served in the U.S. Navy (1946–1948) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald Dean Eustice’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Waseca County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
