Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Michigan
End of Watch: Friday, December 2, 1910
Age: 60
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 2, 1910
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Acquitted
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.