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Night Watchman

Samuel H. Hamilton

Le Mars Police Department — Le Mars, IA

Felonious

End of Watch November 24, 1888

Age 27

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 3 mo

The Vigil Panel 9 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Night Watchman Samuel Hamilton was shot and killed as he confronted a group of men who were creating a disturbance.

The men had just left a club room and were walking south on Main Street and making a great deal of noise. When Night Watchman Hamilton attempted to quiet them, a fight broke out, and one of the men opened fire with a pistol. Night Watchman Hamilton was killed instantly.

The shooter was later arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years in prison December 26, 1889.

Night Watchman Hamilton was 27-years old, and had served with the Le Mars Police for a year and 3 months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IA-099982F9
Stewardship: 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

138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Hamilton gave the Le Mars Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Le Mars community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Le Mars Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Le Mars, Plymouth County, IA

Platform Identity lmpd.plymouth.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 24, 1888

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 3 mo

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Night Watchman Samuel H. Hamilton is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

Le Mars Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IA — Statewide

129

of 226 officers

57.1% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel H. Hamilton's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

1 (0%)

Accident

1 (0%)

Illness

1 (0%)

Cardiac

1 (0%)

Undetermined

1 (0%)

Suicide

1 (0%)

How Samuel H. Hamilton Compares

Age at Death

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

1.3

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel H. Hamilton is highlighted in Nov.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,516

May

1,504

Jun

1,442

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,517

Sep

1,491

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel H. Hamilton was killed by handgun; pistol.

Handgun

3,684

Gun

3,592

Gun; Unknown type

1,492

Shotgun

1,109

Rifle

935

Officer's handgun

909

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Le Mars Police Department are honored on badge.nw.