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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Otho Munger was shot and killed in Athol, Kansas, while attempting to arrest two subjects whom he believed had robbed his pharmacy two weeks earlier.
Following the initial robbery, Deputy Munger was commissioned as a deputy sheriff for the western half of Smith County.
It is believed that Deputy Munger recognized the two men and began following them. When they were approximately one mile east of the city they stopped their vehicle just after crossing a set of railroad tracks on J Road. Deputy Munger pulled alongside of them and exited his car, at which point he was shot with a large caliber revolver.
The subjects then transferred their belongings to Deputy Munger's car and stole it. The car was later found abandoned in Superior, Nebraska. On August 10, 1921, both suspects were discovered in a jail in Nelson, Nebraska. They were awaiting trial for an armed robbery they committed in Beaver City two months earlier. Kansas officials wanted them but were told they could have them after they paid their debt to Nebraska. They were both convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years. It is not known if they were ever returned to Kansas.
Deputy Munger had served with the Smith County Sheriff's Office for approximately two weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Munger served with the Smith County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Smith Center community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Munger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Otho is the only officer of Smith County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Otho is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Otho is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Otho is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 4 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otho was 27. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Otho had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Otho was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Otho had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otho was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Otho had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Smith County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Smith County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.