Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Cooper was shot and killed in Waterloo by a man he was attempting to arrest for attempting to shoot his ex-wife. The suspect, who barricaded himself in a near-by home, surrendered to the sheriff when told he would be left for the citizens to lynch if he did not.
The 45-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison February 13, 1903.
Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.
Retired Wisconsin L.E.O. February 25th, 2014
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-9205E4A5- 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 Cooper served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jefferson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cooper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Cooper 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Cooper's cause is highlighted.
How William Cooper Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Cooper is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Cooper was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.