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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Brian Meilbeck was shot and killed after he and two other deputies had responded to a domestic disturbance call in which a man shot his brother in the leg. As the deputies approached, the suspect fired once through the window, striking Deputy Meilbeck in his chest, just above his vest. He was pronounced dead upon arriving at a nearby hospital. The suspect was arrested about 20 minutes later after a standoff in which more shots were fired. The suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder in the fall of 1998. He was denied parole in 2023 and will be eligible for parole in May 2028. Deputy Meilbeck had only served with the Yuba County Sheriff's Department for 7 weeks.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two-year-old son.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Meilbeck served with the Yuba County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marysville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meilbeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yuba County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Brian had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 26. 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. Brian had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Yuba County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Yuba County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Yuba County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
