Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jack Werner was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a suspect who was driving wildly in the deserted Apache Mall parking lot in Rochester. The subject opened fire on Deputy Werner with a sawed-off shotgun, striking him twice in the chest. The man then fled in Deputy Werner's patrol car but was apprehended four hours later. The man, 20, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on September 21st, 1977. On September 20, 1980, he killed a fellow inmate in Stillwater Prison and got 14 years added to his sentence on May 19, 1981. Deputy Werner had served with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-0EDFD0AE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Werner gave the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Werner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Jack Dean Werner is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jack Dean Werner's cause is highlighted.
How Jack Dean Werner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jack Dean Werner is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jack Dean Werner was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Olmsted County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
