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Incident
Sheriff Mills was shot and killed when he noticed a suspicious car parked on the side of a road as he and his wife drove by. He had another deputy back him up and they confronted two men inside of the car. One of the men produced a gun and held the two officers at gunpoint. When one of the men went to disable Sheriff Mills' car the sheriff attempted to disarm the other suspect. The suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Sheriff Mills and wounding the other deputy. Two days later both suspects were apprehended in Pueblo, Colorado, after a running gun battle with officers. Both were convicted of Sheriff Mills' murder and sentenced to life. Later one suspect escaped from the Kansas Penitentiary and fled to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he shot and killed a grocery store owner on May 27, 1931. On November 24, 1932, he was executed in Indiana's electric chair. The other suspect was denied parole in 1949.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Mills served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Syracuse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Govan is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Govan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Govan 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 1927, 4 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Govan among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.