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Incident
Sheriff Berg was killed in an automobile accident at 4:45 p.m. in Portage County while transporting a prisoner to the Winnebago Mental Health Facility.
Sheriff Berg's patrol car was struck by another vehicle and he was ejected from the vehicle. The incident occurred about .75 miles west of Nelsonville, WI on County Road SS (Old Highway 10). Sheriff Berg was killed instantly.
The suspect, who was the wife of a prominent businessman in the area, was headed up north for vacation when she sped past a car on a hill and struck the Sheriff's vehicle nearly head-on. Although the suspect was charged with first-degree manslaughter, the charges were dismissed after Sheriff Berg's widow received a financial settlement and did not wish to pursue the charges.
Sheriff Berg had served with the Wood County Sheriff's Department for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children and is buried in Wisconsin Rapids.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Berg gave the Wood County Sheriff's Department 24 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, Sheriff Berg.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of Wood County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
William is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1931, 3 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 54. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 54. 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. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.8% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wood 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 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wood County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.