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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Shannon was shot and killed after responding to a house where the homeowner threatened a highway work crew with a rifle.
The work crew was trimming trees on the right-of-way along his property in the Town of Strong's Prairie when the suspect confronted them. Deputy Shannon was shot by the suspect, who was armed with a rifle, shortly after arriving at the scene at approximately 10:49 am. The suspect then barricaded himself in his home but was apprehended during a tactical operation several hours later.
The suspect, 54, was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and sentenced to life without parole. He later died in prison.
Deputy Shannon had been a member of the Adams County Sheriff's Office for almost eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Shannon gave the Adams County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Friendship community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shannon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of Adams County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
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 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 32. 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 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Michael was 32. 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. Michael had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.1% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Fridays: 10.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Adams County Sheriff's Office. 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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