Roll of Honor
Ronald Sheffield
Incident
Location: Michigan Weapon: Handgun; .357 caliber Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Officer Ronald Sheffield was shot and killed while responding to a call for a man with a gun at the metal detectors at the McNamara Federal Building in Detroit, Michigan.
Security at the building had been increased dramatically in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York City and the Pentagon. The subject, who had been waiting in line to go through the security area, pulled a .357 caliber handgun from his bag and shot Officer Sheffield when he attempted to approach him.
Other officers returned fire and wounded the subject before taking him into custody. The building housed several federal law enforcement agencies.
On March 21st, 2003, the killer was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison with no possibility of parole.
Officer Sheffield was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-748E452F- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Sheffield served with the United States General Services Administration.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ronald Sheffield served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Ronald Sheffield 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States General Services Administration - Federal Protective Service, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Sheffield's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Sheffield Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Sheffield is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Sheffield was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from United States General Services Administration - Federal Protective Service are honored on badge.nw.
