Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Lewis was shot and killed while protecting a prisoner from an angry mob attempting to lynch the man.
The prisoner had been arrested for murdering a 15-year-old boy and was being held at a hotel in Linkville, Oregon. The man was being held on the order of the justice of the peace, who planned to hold a hearing on the upcoming Monday.
A group of 10 to 18 masked men entered the hotel and attempted to take the prisoner. Deputy Lewis refused to hand him over, and a shootout ensued. Deputy Lewis was struck in the leg and bled to death within minutes. The justice of the peace was wounded in the arm. One of the masked men was shot and reportedly died as a result of the wound.
No other subjects were ever tried or convicted of Deputy Lewis' murder.
Deputy Lewis was survived by his brother and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Lewis was survived by his brother and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-1198BFCA- 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
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Lewis served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Joseph Lewis 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lake County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Joseph Lewis's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Joseph Lewis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Joseph Lewis is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Joseph Lewis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
