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Michael Josua Ventura
Incident
Public Safety Officer Josh Ventura was killed when his patrol car crashed on State Highway 50, approximately 1/2 mile from County Highway B.
He was traveling with this emergency equipment activated when his patrol car left the roadway and entered a ditch, causing him to be ejected from the vehicle. He was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Ventura had served with the Salem Department of Public Safety for two months and had previously served as a corrections officer for several years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, paternal grandfather, and maternal grandparents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Public Safety Officer Ventura served with the Town of Salem Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Public Safety Officer Ventura.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Michael is the only officer of Town of Salem Department of Public Safety remembered here.
Michael is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 1 officer in WI was lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 2016, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2016, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 32. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. Michael had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 32. 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. Michael had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.8% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Fridays: 12%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Town of Salem Department of Public Safety.
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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Town of Salem Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.