Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Jake Wigers was shot and killed in a shootout with four robbery suspects on Coaltown Road at 9:30 pm. Sheriff Jake Wigers and another officer witnessed four subjects robbing the passengers of a taxicab. They attempted to stop the subjects, and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Wigers was transported to Moline City Hospital and succumbed to his wounds at 4 am. One suspect, the 21-year-old who fired the fatal shot, which was later discovered, was arrested. Two others were apprehended a week later in Burlington, Iowa. They escaped from the Mercer County Jail on April 6, 1919, stole a car and were never seen again. The fourth suspect, who had remained at large for more than 22 years, surrendered to parole officers in Springfield on April 24, 1942. Sheriff Wigers' killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on December 23, 1940. He was returned to prison in 1942 for violating his parole. He was paroled again on December 23, 1943. He testified at the fourth suspect's trial, stating he participated in the robbery but took no part in the shooting. He was acquitted of murder but sentenced to three years for violating his parole. Sheriff Wigers had served with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department for 11 years, 29 days as the Sheriff, and previously served with the Moline Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4B539A35- 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Wigers gave the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wigers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Jacob S. Wigers 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jacob S. Wigers's cause is highlighted.
How Jacob S. Wigers Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jacob S. Wigers is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jacob S. Wigers was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rock Island County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
