Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Matthews succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four years earlier while attempting to question a man who was fishing in Conger Bay.
The man was a suspect in a theft and the deputies had gone to this cabin on the bay to question him. They learned the man was on the water and began to approach him in their launch. As they neared the man's boat the man opened fire without warning, striking Deputy Matthews in the head.
Deputy Matthews was returned to shore and taken to a hospital as the subject sailed away. The man was shot and killed in a shootout with officers the following day.
Deputy Matthews was survived by his wife, mother, and three brothers.
Survivors
Deputy Matthews was survived by his wife, mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-5FC26714- 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.
Deputy 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, Deputy Sheriff Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John W. Matthews 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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. John W. Matthews's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Matthews Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Matthews is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Matthews was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Macomb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
