About Mike

Deputy Sheriff Mike Seversen, badge #905, was a Deputy Sheriff in Polk County, Wisconsin in 1991 when he responded to a mutual aid call in Burnett County, Wisconsin involving a violent criminal from Minnesota. On April 19, 1991, Mike and Deputy Sheriff Allen Albee, of the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office encountered the suspect near Webster Elementary School, in Burnett County.

While he and Deputy Albee approached the subject, the man opened fire with a .32 caliber handgun. Subsequently, Deputy Albee was killed and Deputy Mike Seversen suffered a wound to his spinal cord, causing him to become paralyzed from the neck down.

Deputy Seversen remained paralyzed from the neck down until passing away from complications of the wound on April 14th, 2014.

However, in those 23 years confined to a wheelchair, Mike made a huge impact on his commuity. Despite being wounded that day, Mike stayed active in the Sheriff’s Department and met one-on-one with deputies, discussing tough calls, giving encouragement, and advice. Mike was an advocate for officer safety and training. He gave motivational talks and loved to meet new people.

Before being injured in the line of duty as a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy, Mike served his community on St. Croix Falls Fire Department, as a Police Officer with the St. Croix Falls Police Department, and Warden with the Wisconsin DNR. After being injured, Mike served on the City of St. Croix Falls’ Planning Commission, and was involved with his church, and other civic organizations.