Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Samuel Hicks was shot and killed by a murder suspect in the driveway of a dairy farm adjacent to the Flaming Geyser State Park, in a rural area of King County, east of Seattle. Sergeant Hicks and another investigator had gone to the location to verify the accuracy of a tip given to them in a murder investigation. While at the scene, they encountered the suspect while driving down a long, wooded driveway. The suspect opened fire on their patrol car with a high-powered rifle. As the officers returned fire and attempted to locate cover, Sergeant Hicks was struck in the chest and killed. The suspect, 29, was taken into custody following the incident. He was a convicted felon who was on parole, despite two parole violations. He and his cousin were wanted in Seattle for robbing and murdering a man a week earlier. He was convicted of murdering Sergeant Hicks and sentenced to life without parole. As of July 20, 2022, he was in prison. Sergeant Hicks had served with the King County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-52528ED6- 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.
Detective Sergeant Hicks gave the King County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hicks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Samuel A. Hicks 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At King County Sheriffs Dept., 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel A. Hicks's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel A. Hicks Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel A. Hicks is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel A. Hicks was killed by rifle; .308 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from King County Sheriffs Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
