Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Joachim Matthews was shot and killed while attempting to serve a cruelty to animals warrant at a home in Harrison Township.
A 14-year-old boy in the house was ordered by his mother to fire a rifle through the door as Sheriff Matthews knocked. Shot in the chest, Sheriff Matthews was able to drive his vehicle back to town where he succumbed to his wound.
The boy and his mother were charged with murder. During their trial, the mother testified that she thought the man at the door was a burglar and ordered her son to shoot. The boy was acquitted and charges against his mother were dismissed.
Sheriff Matthews' son, Deputy Sheriff John Matthews, was shot in the line of duty only five months later and subsequently died from his wounds on April 16th, 1916.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service September 17th, 2022
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sheriff Matthews served with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Clemens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Joachim Matthews 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Macomb County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joachim Matthews's cause is highlighted.
How Joachim Matthews Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joachim Matthews is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Macomb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
