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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Cooper was shot and killed in Waterloo by a man he was attempting to arrest for attempting to shoot his ex-wife. The suspect, who barricaded himself in a near-by home, surrendered to the sheriff when told he would be left for the citizens to lynch if he did not.
The 45-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison February 13, 1903.
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cooper served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jefferson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cooper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Jefferson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
William is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1902, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 4.4% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Saturdays: 25.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.9% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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