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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Van Deusen was shot and killed during a domestic dispute in which a man took his wife hostage. As the man led his wife down a rear set of stairs, the deputy posted there ordered him to stop. The man fired at the deputy but missed. As Deputy Van Deusen emerged from the kitchen of the home into the rear hallway, the subject shot him in the right side, causing a fatal wound. The suspect was convicted of Deputy Van Deusen's murder but was released after only six years. Deputy Van Deusen had served with the Dane County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Van Deusen gave the Dane County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Van Deusen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dane County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl 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 1930, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 28. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Earl was 28. 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. Earl had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.3% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Saturdays: 25.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Dane County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Dane County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Dane County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
