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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Harp was shot and killed as he was taking up a position behind a cabin containing a barricaded suspect.
After exchanging gunfire with officers for several hours the suspect surrendered. Several other officers were also wounded during the standoff.
The man was known as "The Defender of Cameron Dam." The sheriff was attempting to seize his cabin and other property in order to satisfy a $22,000 judgment awarded to a lumber company. The man had opened the flood gates to a dam located on his property causing the lumber company's timber to be scattered and lost. The subject had claimed that the lumber company used his dam to transport their logs and refused to compensate him for it.
The subject was convicted of Deputy Harp's murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 13th, 1911. His story gained national attention and citizens contributed thousands of dollars to a fund aimed at having him released. Hollywood produced a movie about his story in 1913 called "Dietz Battle at Cameron Dam" and the man became known as "The Defender of Cameron Dam." He was eventually pardoned by Wisconsin Governor Blaine on May 13th, 1921. He died on May 8, 1924.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Harp served with the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hayward community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sawyer County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Oscar is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oscar 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 1910, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oscar was 35. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Oscar was 35. 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.
Oscar was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.5% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Saturdays: 25.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Sawyer County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Sawyer County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Oscar among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Sawyer County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
