Roll of Honor

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Deputy Sheriff

William Cooper

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office — Jefferson, WI

Felonious

End of Watch February 8, 1902

The Vigil Panel 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Deputy Sheriff William Cooper was shot and killed in Waterloo by a man he was attempting to arrest for attempting to shoot his ex-wife. The suspect, who barricaded himself in a near-by home, surrendered to the sheriff when told he would be left for the citizens to lynch if he did not.

The 45-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison February 13, 1903.

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O. February 25th, 2014

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WI-9205E4A5
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 Cooper served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jefferson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cooper.

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

Agency

Department Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Location Jefferson, WI

Platform Identity jcso.jefferson.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 8, 1902

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Sentenced to 25 years

Deputy Sheriff William Cooper 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%.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

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. William Cooper'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 William Cooper Compares

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 25 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Cooper is highlighted in Feb.

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. William Cooper was killed by handgun; revolver.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518