Jeffrey Neil Sheets
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Jeffrey Neil Sheets

Felonious
End of Watch May 21, 1994
Age 30
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 128
The Vigil Panel 140 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Sheets was shot by a man who refused to leave a dangerous area. An explosion occurred in the garage of the subject's home, but the man would not leave despite numerous attempts by Deputy Sheets. When Deputy Sheets attempted to move this man, he was shot twice with a .22 caliber handgun. The shooter was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide and sentenced to life. Deputy Sheets had served with the Marathon County Sheriff's Office for nine years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-8040AB73
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 Sheets gave the Marathon County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wausau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sheets.

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

Agency

Location Wausau, WI
Platform Identity mcso.marathon.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1994
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 30
Badge Number 128
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
Offender Life in prison

Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Neil Sheets 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%.

Marathon County Sheriff's Office
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
WI — Statewide
159
of 317 officers
50.2% 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. Jeffrey Neil Sheets'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 Jeffrey Neil Sheets Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Life in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jeffrey Neil Sheets is highlighted in May.

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. Jeffrey Neil Sheets was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location