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Albert E. Reif
Incident
Warden Reif was shot and killed while checking a trapper near the Michigan-Wisconsin border three miles northwest of Iron Mountain, Michigan. The suspect, 46, was apprehended near his shack in Sagola, Michigan, ten days later. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled in 1952. On March 9, 1954, he barricaded himself in his shack in Sagola and opened fire on officers when they tried to serve a warrant on him for assault with a deadly weapon. After firing 14 shots, he used the last one on himself, committing suicide. In the exchange of gunfire one deputy was wounded, but survived.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Conservation Warden Reif served with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Warden Reif.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has lost 15 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Albert is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Albert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Albert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Albert was 33. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Albert was 33. 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.
Albert was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 26.7% of all 15 deaths at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has 15 officers remembered here, Albert among them.
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James Blaine Carter
Jul 30, 1923
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Michael Kleist Jul 14, 1924
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John Kupper
Aug 1, 1924
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Alfred P. Vanderkelen
Nov 6, 1928
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Einar Johnson
May 17, 1929
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William A. Riebe Jun 19, 1930
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Edgar L. Alderman
Jul 22, 1933
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Albert Lee Jul 18, 1934
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Fred Haag Jul 23, 1935
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Albert E. Reif
Nov 18, 1942
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Mark H. Russell, Jr.
May 21, 1955
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Robert B. Markle
May 8, 1966
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Neil L. LaFave
Sep 24, 1971
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Andrew A. Krakow
Jun 5, 1990
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Patrick Douglas Warner
May 24, 1993
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
