Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Davidson was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Shawnee County Jail. An inmate attempted to escape and attacked Deputy Davidson. Deputy Davidson and the inmate fell down a set of stairs and the inmate was able to gain control of Deputy Davidson's revolver and shot him once. Deputy Davidson continued to pursue the inmate and was shot two more times. Although mortally wounded he was able to pin the inmate down and died on top of him, preventing his escape. The 20 year-old suspect, who was being held for bank robbery and the murder of a merchant policeman in Omaha, Nebraska, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On March 30, 1935, he was shot and killed while attempting to escape from the Kansas Penitentiary.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-20A42CC8- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Davidson served with the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Davidson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Benjamin J. Davidson 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 Shawnee 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. Benjamin J. Davidson's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin J. Davidson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin J. Davidson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin J. Davidson was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Shawnee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
