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Incident
Trooper William Schoenberger succumbed to injuries sustained when his patrol car was struck by a tractor trailer on I-94. He had positioned his patrol car in the right line of the interstate to block traffic as the local fire department attempted to extinguish a car fire. The trucker who caused the accident was convicted of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and was sentenced to three years of probation and 500 hours of community service. Trooper Schoenberger had served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for 8.5 years and was assigned to District 6.
Survivors
Survivor G. Birkholz
In Our Keeping
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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.
Trooper III Schoenberger gave the Wisconsin State Patrol 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper III Schoenberger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wisconsin State Patrol has lost 9 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1993, 1 officer at Wisconsin State Patrol was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1993, 2 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 1993, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1993, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 31. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Wisconsin State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 31; the middle age was 31. William had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
William was 31. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. William had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 31. 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. William had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 8.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 33.3% of these deaths at Wisconsin State Patrol; October holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 33.3%.
April holds 6.4% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Thursdays: 20%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Wisconsin State Patrol, the most common cause.
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.
His people
Wisconsin State Patrol has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Wisconsin State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
