Albert E. Reif
Agency patch
Conservation Warden

Albert E. Reif

Felonious
End of Watch November 18, 1942
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 79 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Warden Reif was shot and killed while checking a trapper near the Michigan-Wisconsin border three miles northwest of Iron Mountain, Michigan. The suspect, 46, was apprehended near his shack in Sagola, Michigan, ten days later. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled in 1952. On March 9, 1954, he barricaded himself in his shack in Sagola and opened fire on officers when they tried to serve a warrant on him for assault with a deadly weapon. After firing 14 shots, he used the last one on himself, committing suicide. In the exchange of gunfire one deputy was wounded, but survived.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-CBAB5AF6
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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.
Conservation Warden Reif served with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Warden Reif.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Madison, WI
Platform Identity wisccons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 18, 1942
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Conservation Warden Albert E. Reif is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 50.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 4 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 26.7% of this agency's fallen.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
4
of 15 officers
26.7% Felonious
WI — Statewide
159
of 317 officers
50.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Albert E. Reif's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Albert E. Reif Compares

Age at Death
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert E. Reif is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert E. Reif was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location