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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Keltner was shot and killed as he and other members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Rockford, Illinois.
The task force located the subject at a hotel at 747 North Bell School Road. They were attempting to arrest the man at 9:15 a.m. when he opened fire with a rifle, striking a woman who was staying with him. The man then exited the room and opened fire on officers who were outside, striking Officer Keltner.
The man then fled from the hotel and led officers on a pursuit that lasted over 150 miles. The vehicle became disabled on I-55 near Lincoln, and the subject was taken into custody after barricading himself inside of it for several hours.
Deputy Keltner was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds approximately six hours after being shot.
The subject was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 55 years.
Deputy Keltner had served with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young children, his father and brother, who both work in DuPage County law enforcement, and other family members.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Keltner gave the McHenry County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Woodstock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Keltner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McHenry County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jacob is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jacob is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jacob 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 2019, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jacob was 35. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob was 35. 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. Jacob had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jacob had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at McHenry County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
McHenry County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Jacob among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from McHenry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
