Roll of Honor
Incident
Game Warden Elmer Nonnast suffered a fatal heart attack following a foot pursuit of a fisherman who was illegally fishing in the Arkansas River. After returning from the foot pursuit Warden Nonnast became involved in an argument with the other suspects that had been apprehended. He collapsed and was taken to a local hospital where he passed away. Warden Nonnast, who served six years in law enforcement, was also a U.S. Army Ranger. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service during the Vietnam War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-FC63979C- 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.
Game Warden Nonnast gave the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka 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
Elmer Leon Nonnast served in the Army (1955â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Game Warden Elmer Leon Nonnast is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KS, 15 of 335 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.5 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division, 1 of 4 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer Leon Nonnast's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer Leon Nonnast Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer Leon Nonnast is highlighted in May.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
