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Incident
Sheriff Matt Olson was shot and instantly killed by a farmer in rural Barron County while he was trying to repossess a horse at 11 am. The farmer was later arrested by a posse and brought to the county seat to be held accountable for the murder. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison on May 10, 1916. He applied for parole in 1923. The outcome is unknown. Sheriff Olson had served as Sheriff for over a year with the Barron County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his wife and three children. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
You barely got started.
Sheriff Olson gave the Barron County Sheriff's Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Barron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Barron County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Matt is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Matt is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matt is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matt was 46. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Matt had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Matt was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Matt had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matt was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matt had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.3% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Barron County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Barron County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Matt among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Barron County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
