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Incident
Trooper George Amos was shot and killed with his own weapon after stopping a drunk driver on I-80 near Lexington, Nebraska. After arresting the suspect, the man and his wife began to struggle with Trooper Amos inside the patrol car. They were able to gain control of his service weapon and shoot him. A short time later, the couple was taken into custody after a high-speed chase near Gothenburg, which ended after a state trooper rammed their vehicle. The man was convicted of Trooper Amos' murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 26, 1973, and died in prison on April 24, 1991. His wife was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison. Trooper Amos was a United States Army Vietnam veteran and had served with the Nebraska State Patrol for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Trooper Amos gave the Nebraska State Patrol 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nebraska, 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
George William Amos Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nebraska State Patrol has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
George 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 1973, 1 officer at Nebraska State Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 28. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Nebraska State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 28. George had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
George was 28. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. George had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
George was 28. 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. George had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 40% of these deaths at Nebraska State Patrol, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Fridays: 16.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Nebraska State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 2.1% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Nebraska State Patrol has 15 officers remembered here, George among them.
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Loyal M. Zink
Jun 13, 1945
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John T. Meistrell
Apr 10, 1953
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Vernon C. Rolfs
May 30, 1953
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Marvin L. Hansen
Apr 8, 1954
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Duane F. Nichols
Jul 24, 1958
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Raymond M. Koerber
Sep 18, 1961
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George William Amos, Jr.
Apr 20, 1973
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Michael D. Farber
Aug 24, 1980
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Robert J. Chab
Jan 6, 1984
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Donald Matejka
Dec 27, 1989
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Mark Paul Wagner
Mar 4, 1999
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Mark Zach
Sep 27, 2002
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Jerry Chab
Aug 6, 2013
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Jerry Louis Smith, Jr.
Jun 20, 2019
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Kyle McAcy
Feb 17, 2025
Military Service
George William Amos Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit George William Amos Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Nebraska State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
