Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Jantz was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped three armed men on Highway 12 west of Judson Street in Lake Delton. Before 2:00 a.m., Patrolman Jantz and the Lake Denton police chief were following a vehicle filled with three men who were under surveillance. When they stopped the vehicle, they were shot as they exited their patrol car. Patrolman Jantz was shot twice and instantly killed. The chief was struck under his armpit after the bullet was deflected by a cigarette lighter in his pocket. Another officer arrived at the scene and fired at the fleeing suspects. The three men were wanted in Chicago for several murders and for shooting at police officers. The suspects were all found guilty of Patrolman Jantz's murder. They were sent to prison and eventually paroled. One of the suspects had escaped prison in 1974 and was not captured until 1989, but was still paroled. Patrolman Jantz was a United States Army Reserve veteran and had served with the Sauk County Sheriff's Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-46047636- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James 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.
Patrolman Jantz gave the Sauk County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baraboo 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
James C. Jantz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman James C. Jantz 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 97,759 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 Sauk County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James C. Jantz's cause is highlighted.
How James C. Jantz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James C. Jantz is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James C. Jantz was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James C. Jantz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James C. Jantz’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Sauk County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
