Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Pete Pederson was shot and killed in an ambush by a 16-year-old boy while investigating an accident scene. Trooper Pederson had been dispatched to an accident scene and, upon arrival, located a vehicle in a ditch. As he approached the vehicle, the boy, who was hiding at the front of the vehicle, opened fire and fatally wounded Trooper Pederson. The suspect fled but was later apprehended. It was determined that Trooper Pederson had issued the boy a citation earlier in the evening, but the boy refused to give a motive as to why he ambushed him. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 25 years at the Green Bay State Reformatory on December 1, 1972. Trooper Pederson was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for six years, assigned to District 3. Before that, he had been a police officer in Rhinelander.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-C7847D36- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Donald. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Pederson gave the Wisconsin State Patrol 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald C. "Pete" Pederson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Donald C. "Pete" Pederson 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 Wisconsin State Patrol, 2 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald C. "Pete" Pederson's cause is highlighted.
How Donald C. "Pete" Pederson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 to 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald C. "Pete" Pederson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald C. "Pete" Pederson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Wisconsin State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
