Prev
Incident
Sheriff Jake Wigers was shot and killed in a shootout with four robbery suspects on Coaltown Road at 9:30 pm. Sheriff Jake Wigers and another officer witnessed four subjects robbing the passengers of a taxicab. They attempted to stop the subjects, and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Wigers was transported to Moline City Hospital and succumbed to his wounds at 4 am. One suspect, the 21-year-old who fired the fatal shot, which was later discovered, was arrested. Two others were apprehended a week later in Burlington, Iowa. They escaped from the Mercer County Jail on April 6, 1919, stole a car and were never seen again. The fourth suspect, who had remained at large for more than 22 years, surrendered to parole officers in Springfield on April 24, 1942. Sheriff Wigers' killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on December 23, 1940. He was returned to prison in 1942 for violating his parole. He was paroled again on December 23, 1943. He testified at the fourth suspect's trial, stating he participated in the robbery but took no part in the shooting. He was acquitted of murder but sentenced to three years for violating his parole. Sheriff Wigers had served with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department for 11 years, 29 days as the Sheriff, and previously served with the Moline Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnf8xtrjavsnc126113r- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jacob. 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Wigers gave the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Wigers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rock Island County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jacob is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jacob is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jacob 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 1918, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jacob was 51. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob was 51. 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. Jacob had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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
Rock Island County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jacob among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rock Island County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
