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Incident
Sheriff John Radcliffe succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he was trying to apprehend two men at the request of the Oneida County Sheriff. Two deputies were also shot but survived. The suspects escaped but a posse was formed and later apprehended them. The suspects were wanted for holding a young girl against her will and attempting to sell her into slavery. Both suspects were convicted of Sheriff Radcliffe's murder and sentenced to life in prison. The shooter was paroled in 1928. His accomplice's sentence was commuted to 14 years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Radcliffe served with the Vilas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Eagle River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Radcliffe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vilas County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 61. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
John was 61. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 7.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Vilas County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Vilas County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vilas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
