Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-02CBE5A5- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Otho. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
Deputy Sheriff Otho H. Munger 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Otho H. Munger's cause is highlighted.
How Otho H. Munger Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otho H. Munger is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otho H. Munger was killed by handgun; revolver.