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Incident
Sheriff John Stack and Chief Deputy Andrew Herlitz were shot and killed after responding to a dispute between two farmers over a tractor. When the officers arrived, one of the men shot Deputy Herlitz first, and then Sheriff Stack as he was trying to put Deputy Herlitz in the police vehicle. The suspect turned himself in to the police and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He pled guilty to two counts of third-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years on September 23rd, 1966. Sheriff Stack was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Morrison County Sheriff's Office for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, just West of Anoka, Minnesota.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Stack gave the Morrison County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Falls community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John E. Stack served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Morrison County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1965, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1965, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 45. 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. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.2% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Morrison County Sheriff's Office. 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
Morrison County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Military Service
John E. Stack served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit John E. Stack’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 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Morrison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
