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Incident
Sheriff Joachim Matthews was shot and killed while attempting to serve a cruelty to animals warrant at a home in Harrison Township.
A 14-year-old boy in the house was ordered by his mother to fire a rifle through the door as Sheriff Matthews knocked. Shot in the chest, Sheriff Matthews was able to drive his vehicle back to town where he succumbed to his wound.
The boy and his mother were charged with murder. During their trial, the mother testified that she thought the man at the door was a burglar and ordered her son to shoot. The boy was acquitted and charges against his mother were dismissed.
Sheriff Matthews' son, Deputy Sheriff John Matthews, was shot in the line of duty only five months later and subsequently died from his wounds on April 16th, 1916.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Matthews served with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Clemens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Macomb County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joachim is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Joachim is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joachim is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 2 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joachim was 60. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Joachim was 60. 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.
Joachim was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Macomb County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Macomb County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Joachim among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Macomb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
