Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ronald Leist drowned while attempting to rescue a fisherman who was swept off of the South Pier into Lake Michigan by a large wave. The victim and a friend were on the pier when a 12-foot-high wave struck them. The victim was washed into the water but the friend was able to remain on the pier. Patrolman Leist responded to the pier and was attempting to pull the victim back onto the pier when another wave struck and washed all three into the water. One of the fishermen was rescued by a good samaritan, but Patrolman Leis and the second fisherman went below the surface and did not reemerge. Officer Leist had served with the Algoma Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-FF430BFE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ronald. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Leist gave the Algoma Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Algoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Leist.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ronald Lee Leist is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In WI, 124 of 317 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.1% of this state's fallen. That is 39.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Lee Leist's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Lee Leist Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Lee Leist is highlighted in Oct.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Algoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.