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Incident
Sergeant Samuel Hicks was shot and killed by a murder suspect in the driveway of a dairy farm adjacent to the Flaming Geyser State Park, in a rural area of King County, east of Seattle. Sergeant Hicks and another investigator had gone to the location to verify the accuracy of a tip given to them in a murder investigation. While at the scene, they encountered the suspect while driving down a long, wooded driveway. The suspect opened fire on their patrol car with a high-powered rifle. As the officers returned fire and attempted to locate cover, Sergeant Hicks was struck in the chest and killed. The suspect, 29, was taken into custody following the incident. He was a convicted felon who was on parole, despite two parole violations. He and his cousin were wanted in Seattle for robbing and murdering a man a week earlier. He was convicted of murdering Sergeant Hicks and sentenced to life without parole. As of July 20, 2022, he was in prison. Sergeant Hicks had served with the King County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
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.
Detective Sergeant Hicks gave the King County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hicks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
King County Sheriff's Office has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 1 officer at King County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1982, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 38. Of the 9 killed feloniously at King County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 46; the middle age was 44. Samuel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 38. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Samuel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 38. 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. Samuel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 18.2% of these deaths at King County Sheriff's Office; March holds the most, 27.3%. Thursdays: 9.1%.
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at King County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
King County Sheriff's Office has 18 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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Wesley F. Cherry Mar 6, 1854
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Louis V. Wyckoff
Jan 20, 1882
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George W. Poor Jul 26, 1891
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Cornelius Rowley
Jul 4, 1902
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Robert Carl Scott
Apr 4, 1920
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Steven S. Watson Jul 9, 1934
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Thomas Charles Meehan
Nov 13, 1935
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John Frederick Mines
Jul 19, 1946
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George H. Yeaman, Jr.
Jul 22, 1946
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Norman F. Silkworth
Mar 7, 1952
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Donald A. Armeni
Sep 15, 1954
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Samuel A. Hicks
Jun 24, 1982
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Michael L. Raburn
Mar 27, 1984
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Richard S. Cochran, II
May 22, 1991
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Mark William Brown
Feb 27, 1999
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Richard Anthony Herzog
Jun 22, 2002
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Steven E. Cox
Dec 2, 2006
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Reginald Bernard Thomas
Sep 7, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
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