Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Samuel Dunn was shot and killed in an attempted assassination of a local judge. The assassination was planned for the judge because followers of a murder victim did not believe the judge would oversee the trial properly. Sheriff Dunn posted six deputies at the judge's home and then took the judge's place on a morning ride to the courthouse. The wagon was ambushed by 30 men during the ride and Sheriff Dunn was shot and killed. The state militia was called in to maintain law and order after the shooting.
Survivors
Sheriff Dunn was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-1791CDCF- 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
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Dunn served with the Seward County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Liberal community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Samuel W. Dunn 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%.
At Seward County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 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. Samuel W. Dunn's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel W. Dunn Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel W. Dunn is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel W. Dunn was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Seward County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
