Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Nugent was shot and killed by a shop owner while staking out the shop after a recent string of burglaries. The shop owner had requested that the Sheriff watch the store but did not know he was coming that night. The owner heard sounds near the wood pile and as he left at 0130 hours Sheriff Nugent turned on his flashlight and ordered the owner to put his hands up. Thinking it was a burglar, the owner opened fire with his shotgun, striking Sheriff Nugent in the chest. A deputy returned fire before going to get help. When the deputy returned he arrested the owner. The man was never charged and the shooting was ruled an accident.
Survivors
Sheriff Nugent had been with the agency for 20 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-C0D9F599- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Nugent gave the Wright County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Nugent.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John C. Nugent, Jr. is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 Wright County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 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. John C. Nugent, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John C. Nugent, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Nugent, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Nugent, Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wright County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
