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Incident
Sheriff Joseph Lanier was fatally shot by a man seeking revenge against him.
Sheriff Lanier had been enforcing permit laws on Choctaw Nation land and had enforcement an order issued by the governor ordering the subject to leave the land. On September 22nd, 1881, Sheriff Lanier was in a store in Skullyville with his wife when he encountered the subject. The man confronted him and followed him into a backroom. As Sheriff Lanier walked back into the main part of the store the man fatally shot him.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Lanier served with the Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department.
Thank you for your service to the Duran community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1881, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 26. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Joseph was 26. 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.
Joseph was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
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