Incident
Investigator John Schneider was shot and killed after he and two other deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a mobile home on Ontario Lane in Goodview. As the deputies attempted to force their way into the mobile home, the man opened fire with a .22-caliber rifle and struck Investigator Schneider in the chest. The suspect gave himself up after 40 minutes. On January 19, 1981, the suspect, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to life. He died in prison in 2025. Investigator Schneider, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, had served with the Winona County Sheriff's Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-6401F449- 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.
Investigator Schneider gave the Winona County Sheriff's Department 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winona community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John J. Schneider served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Investigator John J. Schneider 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 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 4.8 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. John J. Schneider's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Schneider Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Schneider is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Schneider was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.