Roll of Honor
Incident
Agent Bill Lakanen and Agent Don Simpson were shot to death in the Sierra Madre mountain range near Rawlings, Wyoming while investigating reports of illegal beaver hunting. The suspect wanted in connection with their murder died in a cabin fire before being taken into custody. Agent Lakanen had served with the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-E6819D42- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Agent Lakanen gave the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheyenne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Lakanen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Agent Bill Lakanen is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bill Lakanen's cause is highlighted.
How Bill Lakanen Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in a fire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bill Lakanen is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bill Lakanen was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wyoming Department of Game and Fish are honored on badge.nw.
