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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Schmitt was killed in a vehicle crash while he and his partner were responding to a request for backup from a neighboring law enforcement agency. Their patrol car collided with two other vehicles. A total of seven others were injured. Deputy Schmitt's rookie partner was admitted to a local hospital for observation. Deputy Schmitt had served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Schmitt gave the Washington County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Schmitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
John is the only officer of Washington County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
John is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 3 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 31. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 6.4% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 10.4%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Washington County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.3% of all 318 deaths in WI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.