Roll of Honor
Michael Geszvain
Incident
Deputy Geszvain and Sergeant O'Brien were shot and killed when a prisoner gained control of Deputy Geszvain's service weapon. The officers were standing in court with the prisoner when the incident occurred. The suspect exchanged shots with another deputy on the first floor of the courthouse. Sergent O'Brien was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. The suspect was apprehended after taking a hostage and forcing her to drive to Madison, Wisconsin. The man was sentenced to two counts of life without parole. Deputy Geszvain had served 23 years with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.
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BO-US-WI-81C9F9C6- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Geszvain gave the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Waukesha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Geszvain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Geszvain served in the U.S. Navy (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Michael Geszvain 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 Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 4 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. Michael Geszvain's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Geszvain Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Geszvain is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Geszvain was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Michael Geszvain served in the U.S. Navy (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Geszvain’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 Waukesha County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
