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Michael Geszvain
Incident
Deputy Geszvain and Sergeant O'Brien were shot and killed when a prisoner gained control of Deputy Geszvain's service weapon. The officers were standing in court with the prisoner when the incident occurred. The suspect exchanged shots with another deputy on the first floor of the courthouse. Sergent O'Brien was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. The suspect was apprehended after taking a hostage and forcing her to drive to Madison, Wisconsin. The man was sentenced to two counts of life without parole. Deputy Geszvain had served 23 years with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Geszvain gave the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Waukesha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Geszvain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Geszvain served in the U.S. Navy (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael 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 1978, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 52. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Michael was 52. 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. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 3.1% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Military Service
Michael Geszvain served in the U.S. Navy (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Geszvain’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 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Waukesha County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
