Roll of Honor
Fred W. Tierney
Incident
Deputy Game Warden Fred Tierney was shot and killed after encountering two men he was investigating for game law violations.
The two were walking out of a store on the main street in Wilburton. The three exchanged words and exchanged shots. Deputy Game Warden Tierney was shot and killed and one of the suspects was wounded.
Both men were charged with murder and taken into custody following an inquest. Both suspects were released after two separate trials resulted in hung juries.
Deputy Game Warden Tierney was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and had previously served as a city marshal and a county constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-5CC96EB3- 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.
Deputy Game Warden Tierney served with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Thank you 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
Fred W. Tierney served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Game Warden Fred W. Tierney 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 Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division, 2 of 4 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. Fred W. Tierney's cause is highlighted.
How Fred W. Tierney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred W. Tierney is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred W. Tierney was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
