Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Harp was shot and killed as he was taking up a position behind a cabin containing a barricaded suspect.
After exchanging gunfire with officers for several hours the suspect surrendered. Several other officers were also wounded during the standoff.
The man was known as "The Defender of Cameron Dam." The sheriff was attempting to seize his cabin and other property in order to satisfy a $22,000 judgment awarded to a lumber company. The man had opened the flood gates to a dam located on his property causing the lumber company's timber to be scattered and lost. The subject had claimed that the lumber company used his dam to transport their logs and refused to compensate him for it.
The subject was convicted of Deputy Harp's murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 13th, 1911. His story gained national attention and citizens contributed thousands of dollars to a fund aimed at having him released. Hollywood produced a movie about his story in 1913 called "Dietz Battle at Cameron Dam" and the man became known as "The Defender of Cameron Dam." He was eventually pardoned by Wisconsin Governor Blaine on May 13th, 1921. He died on May 8, 1924.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-1CF06191- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Harp served with the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hayward community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Harp 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Sawyer County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar Harp's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Harp Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1921
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Harp is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Harp was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Sawyer County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
