Incident
Deputy Sheriff Brian Meilbeck was shot and killed after he and two other deputies had responded to a domestic disturbance call in which a man shot his brother in the leg. As the deputies approached, the suspect fired once through the window, striking Deputy Meilbeck in his chest, just above his vest. He was pronounced dead upon arriving at a nearby hospital. The suspect was arrested about 20 minutes later after a standoff in which more shots were fired. The suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder in the fall of 1998. He was denied parole in 2023 and will be eligible for parole in May 2028. Deputy Meilbeck had only served with the Yuba County Sheriff's Department for 7 weeks.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-643C68BF- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Meilbeck served with the Yuba County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marysville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Meilbeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Brian E. Meilbeck is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Yuba County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian E. Meilbeck's cause is highlighted.
How Brian E. Meilbeck Compares
Offender Outcome
Found guilty
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian E. Meilbeck is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian E. Meilbeck was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Yuba County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.

