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Lawrence E. Schmidtlein
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Schmidtlein was killed in an automobile crash while attempting to apprehend two juvenile runaways. The juveniles were suspected of stealing a car and not paying for gas in Austin. Deputy Schmidtlein pursued the subjects for over 80 miles before his patrol vehicle overturned on loose gravel as he turned off of State Route 20 near Eureka. He died instantly. Deputy Schmidtlein was a United States Army WWII veteran and served with the Lander County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by three brothers and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Schmidtlein gave the Lander County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Battle Mountain community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lawrence E. Schmidtlein served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lander County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Lawrence is one of 40 officers lost to accidents in NV, 27.4% of the 146 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1964, 1 officer in NV was lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 31 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 3.
In 1964, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1964, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lawrence was 67. Of the 39 lost to accidents in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 40. Lawrence had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Lawrence was 67. 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. Lawrence had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lawrence was 67. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lawrence had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10% of these deaths in NV; December holds the most, 17.5%. Mondays: 5%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Lander County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.4% of all 146 deaths in NV, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Lander County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Lawrence among them.
Where
Military Service
Lawrence E. Schmidtlein served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lawrence E. Schmidtlein’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lander County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
