Roll of Honor
Albert E. Reif
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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Conservation Warden Albert E. Reif is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Albert E. Reif's cause is highlighted.
How Albert E. Reif Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1952
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert E. Reif is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert E. Reif was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
