Roll of Honor

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Game Warden

Sherman J. Handron

Washington Department of Wildlife — Olympia, WA

Felonious

End of Watch August 29, 1943

Age 55

The Vigil Panel 80 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Game Warden Sherman Handron was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for transporting illegal elk meat in the Humptulips District. He had been conducting an investigation for several weeks into the matter and had a warrant to search the men's vehicle when the shooting took place at one of the men's homes along the West Fork Humptulip River. Warden Handron was shot by the suspect 12 times. During their trial the doctor who performed the autopsy testified that both men shot Warden Handron. One of the suspects testified that he fired all the shots. He testified that he was in his yard, removing groceries from his car, when a man hiding behind some brush nearby stood up and fired three shots at him, one taking affect in his hip. He claimed he then grabbed his rifle from his car and shot back several times. The only witnesses were the defendants.

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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.
Game Warden Handron served with the Washington Department of Wildlife.
Thank you for your service to the Olympia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Handron.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Washington Department of Wildlife

Location Olympia, WA

Platform Identity wdwcons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 29, 1943

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber

Offender Acquitted

Game Warden Sherman J. Handron 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Washington Department of Wildlife

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sherman J. Handron's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Sherman J. Handron Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sherman J. Handron is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sherman J. Handron was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518