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Special Agent Mathias
Wisconsin Department of the Treasury - Beverage Tax Division, Wisconsin

Special Agent

Mathias "Matt" Schumacher

Wisconsin Department of the Treasury - Beverage Tax Division, Wisconsin

End of Watch: Saturday, September 22, 1934

Biographical Info

Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 22, 1934
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 8 years

Agent Schumacher was shot and killed while raiding a home on 28th Street in Kenosha. He and 11 other local, state, and federal officers were conducting a series of liquor raids earlier in the evening and went to the home at 0145 hours after receiving a tip. The officers surrounded the home and the task force commander knocked on the front door. One of the home's occupants went to the back door and ask who was there. Agent Schumacher, who was watching the back door, responded that "it was the law."

The man then raised his .32 caliber revolver and fired a single shot, striking Agent Schumacher in the side. The suspect was then taken into custody by the other agents at the scene. The suspect's brother, sister, and parents were also arrested. The suspect was charged with murder and his brother was charged with resisting arrest.

The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. In 1936 he was tried a second time, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to 5 to 8 years in prison.

Agent Schumacher had only been with the Wisconsin Department of the Treasury for 1 year and was survived by his wife.