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Roland Silas Payne
Incident
Chief Payne suffered a fatal heart attack following a struggle with two suspects in which he was struck in the head with a flashlight. He and the Undersheriff of Wood County were transporting two juvenile suspects from Plymouth, Indiana, back to Wood County. During a fuel stop one of the suspects was able to steal a handgun from a store. As the vehicle neared Adams, Wisconsin, the prisoner fired a shot into the front of the car.
Chief Payne immediately jumped into the backseat and began struggling with the suspects as the Undersheriff stopped the car. The Undersheriff also began to struggle with the suspects but one of the prisoners was able to get out of the car and then ordered the two officers out at gunpoint. The prisoners then handcuffed the officers together and placed them in the back of the car. As the two began to drive away Chief Payne suffered the heart attack and slumped over in the backseat. The suspects stopped the car and left both officers on the side of the road. The suspects stopped at a nearby tavern and reported that two men had been hit by a car down the road, and then continued to flee.
The suspects were spotted the following day by a Michigan State Trooper, who chased them into a nearby woods. The suspects were apprehended after a large manhunt. The 14-year-old suspect was not charged because of his age. The 17-year-old suspect was charged with murder but the charges were reduced by a judge to armed robbery and assault. He was sentenced to three to ten years in a reformatory.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Payne gave the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wisconsin Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Payne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roland is the only officer of Wisconsin Rapids Police Department remembered here.
Roland is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Roland is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roland is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 3 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roland was 65. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Roland had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Roland was 65. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Roland had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roland was 65. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roland had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Fridays: 10.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wisconsin Rapids Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object; flashlight, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; flashlight, in 0.6% 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 blunt object; flashlight, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; flashlight, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wisconsin Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.