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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willis Daggett succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicle crash earlier in the day while en route to serve a warrant on a man who lived near Litchfield.
He was approaching the bridge over Clear Creek, approximately five miles north of Litchfield, when a dip in the road caused his car to strike the guard rail. The vehicle went through the guard rail and landed in the creekbed 20 feet below.
Despite being seriously injured with a fractured skull, he was able to get out of the car, climb out of the creek, and walk to a farm a quarter mile away. The farmer's wife had to go to another farm to call for an ambulance and the sheriff, but Deputy Daggett succumbed to his injuries before their arrival.
Deputy Daggett had served with the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office for only nine months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Daggett served with the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kearney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Daggett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Willis is the only officer of Buffalo County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Willis is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 remembered there.
Willis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 2 officers in NE were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Willis was 57. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40. Willis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Willis was 57. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Willis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Willis had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 13.9% of these deaths in NE, more than any other month. Mondays: 19.4%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Buffalo County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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