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Incident
Sheriff Solbraa was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a murder suspect. The suspect, a man who shot and killed his employer, a local farmer, shot and killed a member of a posse that later apprehended him.
The suspect was convicted of three counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in Waupun Prison in 1931.
Sheriff Solbraa was survived by his wife, son, and daughter. In 1940 his son was appointed undersheriff of Green County.
Survivors
Sheriff Solbraa was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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.
Sheriff Solbraa served with the Green County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Monroe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Solbraa.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Matthew is the only officer of Green County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Matthew is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 1919, 3 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 42. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Matthew was 42. 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.
Matthew was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.5% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Green County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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