Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Alexander Ramsey was shot and killed when he and a deputy encountered two horse thieves while traveling to Stockton, Kansas. They observed a horse trail in Rooks County and went to investigate to see if the county's most wanted man and horse thief was involved. They encountered two men attempting to sell horses, and a shootout ensued. Sheriff Ramsey and one of the suspects were killed. The second suspect was wounded and apprehended but acquitted at trial. When Sheriff Ramsey's 24-year-old wife was told of his death, she went into a state of shock and died a few days later. Sheriff Ramsey was a Union Civil War Veteran.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-2AEF5244- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Ramsey gave the Ellis County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hays community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Alexander Ramsey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Alexander Ramsey 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 Ellis 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. Alexander Ramsey's cause is highlighted.
How Alexander Ramsey Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alexander Ramsey is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alexander Ramsey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ellis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
