Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Sampson was killed in an automobile accident while transporting a prisoner to Waupun. The accident occurred in Columbia County when he swerved into a tree to avoid being struck by a car that ran a stop sign.
Sheriff Sampson had served with the LaCrosse Police Department for 23 years prior to being elected sheriff.
Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 24th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-63FE7296- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roy. 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Sampson gave the La Crosse County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the LaCrosse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sampson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Roy Sampson is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 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 8.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At La Crosse County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Sampson's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Sampson Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Sampson is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from La Crosse County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
