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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Arthur Osborn was shot and killed along U.S. Highway 30 two miles west of Pine Bluffs while attempting to arrest a man wanted for cashing stolen bonds at a bank in Cheyenne. Deputy Osborn waved the suspect's car down, and as he approached, the man picked up a gun from the seat and shot him. The man was one of the brothers of the leader of the Barker-Kipnis Gang and the son of the infamous Ma Barker. On August 27th, 1927, he shot and killed Patrolman Joseph Marshall of the Wichita Police Department, Kansas. Deputy Osborn had served with the Laramie County Sheriff's Office for over one year. Survivors include his wife and four children. He is buried in Pine Bluffs Cemetery, Pine Bluffs, Laramie County, Wyoming. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Osborn gave the Laramie County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Cheyenne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Osborn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Laramie County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 2 officers in WY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 45. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5. Arthur had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Arthur was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.3% of these deaths in WY; March holds the most, 14.6%. Mondays: 19.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Laramie County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 43.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Laramie County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Laramie County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
