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Incident
Deputy Coleman and his brother, Undersheriff Milton Coleman of the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed by two outlaws armed with Winchester rifles. On September 25, 1881, the two suspects shot and killed Sheriff John Lammy, of the Calhoun County, Illinois, Sheriff's Department, as the sheriff and his deputies attempted to arrest them for the murders of Undersheriff Milton Coleman and Deputy Charles Coleman. The suspects were the notorious Williams brothers, Lon and Ed. Robbers and murderers for years, they were regarded by Wisconsin citizens as being as great as Frank and Jesse James. On November 7, 1881, Ed was captured in Grand Island, Kansas. He was taken to Durand where he was seized by an angry mob and hanged from a tree. On October 29, 1882, Lon was captured in Dodge City, Kansas, and returned to Wisconsin. He mysteriously disappeared from the Durand jail.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-TYH0-9RBS-3earlier record number BO-US-WI-CA06A19B- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Coleman gave the Pepin County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Durand community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pepin County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1881, 2 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 41. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Charles was 41. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 41. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Sundays: 15.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Pepin County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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, in 19.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pepin County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pepin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
