Roll of Honor
Incident
Game Technician Neil LaFave was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was hunting illegally in the Sensiba Wildlife Area in Brown County, Wisconsin. He had gone to the wildlife area to post signs when he encountered the man and was shot. The suspect was apprehended several months later after an extensive investigation. The suspect was sent to prison but escaped ten years later. The man was shot and killed by a posse who were attempting to recapture him. Technician LaFave had served with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-F336DC0C- 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.
Game Technician LaFave gave the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Technician LaFave.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Technician Neil L. LaFave 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 Department of Natural Resources, 4 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 26.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Neil L. LaFave's cause is highlighted.
How Neil L. LaFave Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Neil L. LaFave is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Neil L. LaFave was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
