Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Eric Stein was shot and killed as he, the county sheriff, and another deputy attempted to question a man regarding an incident that had occurred the previous night.
The three officers had gone to the man's home on 249th Street, in rural Sigourney, shortly before noon when they were fired upon. Sergeant Stein was struck by the shots and fatally wounded. The sheriff and other deputy took cover and called for assistance.
The subject remained barricaded in his home for about three hours before coming outside with a firearm. He was killed by an Iowa State Patrol tactical unit.
Sergeant Stein had served with the Keokuk County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, sister, father, and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-C86C2F46- 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.
Sergeant Stein gave the Keokuk County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sigourney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Stein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Eric John Stein 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eric John Stein's cause is highlighted.
How Eric John Stein Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eric John Stein is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eric John Stein was killed by gun; unknown type.