Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Radcliffe succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he was trying to apprehend two men at the request of the Oneida County Sheriff. Two deputies were also shot but survived. The suspects escaped but a posse was formed and later apprehended them. The suspects were wanted for holding a young girl against her will and attempting to sell her into slavery. Both suspects were convicted of Sheriff Radcliffe's murder and sentenced to life in prison. The shooter was paroled in 1928. His accomplice's sentence was commuted to 14 years.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-9666A630- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Radcliffe served with the Vilas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Eagle River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Radcliffe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John Radcliffe 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 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 Vilas County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Radcliffe's cause is highlighted.
How John Radcliffe Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Radcliffe is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Radcliffe was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vilas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
