The Eustice Story

The morning of Saturday, September 4th, 1976, started out just like any other day for Sheriff Donald Eustice and Chief Deputy Mert Schwarz. Sheriff Eustice and Deputy Schwarz had decided to go out together to deliver papers to Kenneth Jewison. Sheriff Eustice was dressed as a civilian and was unarmed. Deputy Schwarz was dressed in uniform and had his firearm. Deputy Schwarz said that he had been out to visit Jewison many times early on in the week but Jewison had not been home. That Saturday was the first day that anyone had been out to serve the papers to Jewison.

When they arrived out to Jewison's residence, they noticed he was standing behind the screen door, so they both shouted, "Hi, Kenny." Nothing was said afterwards until Jewison came out on to his porch already aiming a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun. He then fired and hit Sheriff Eustice, who was standing about 12 feet away. Sheriff Eustice fell to the ground "[with] a hole the size of a baseball," said one observer, in his upper right chest. Deputy Schwarz said that after Sheriff Eustice hit the ground, he never moved.Deputy Schwarz jumped when the shot was fired and he had no idea what had just happened. After drawing his weapon and realizing there was no cover in the farm yard he started moving backwards so as to make himself harder to hit. He then commanded Jewison to put the gun down. Jewison decided to retreat into the house where he was again told to put the weapon down. According to the news paper "Jewison allegedly said, `I give up, I give up, ` and threw out the gun." "It all took place in a matter of seconds," Deputy Schwarz said.

Jewison was then handcuffed by Deputy Schwarz and placed in the squad car where help was radioed for. County Coroner Dr. S. T. Normann pronounced Eustice dead at the scene due to many great blood vessels being ruptured. According to the news paper, "...news of the shooting was kept quiet until family members could be notified and a formal press release could be prepared." Once word of the shooting was release, it spread quickly through the county and state. This was to be a very memorable day in Waseca, MN.

         Jewison being escorted to Court

 

 

Don Eustice Officer Down Memorial Page

Don Eustice MNLEMA Memorial Page

National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund

Even after his death, Don and his friends continue to contribute to the community.  They have established the Don Eustice Memorial Scholarship Committee.  The Program has been giving out scholarships to deserving applicants who will be or are enrolled in law enforcement or law-related studies.  To visit their website, click here.