Prev
Incident
Undersheriff Lane was killed in an airplane accident during a search-and-rescue mission near the Sherman Pass summit at 1000 hours.
He and a civilian pilot were part of a rescue effort searching for a missing woman. The woman was found later in the afternoon when she walked out of the woods near the point where she was reported missing. The pilot of the Cessna 172 was also killed in the accident.
Undersheriff Lane had served with the 8-person department for 13 years. He had previously served with the Republic Police Department for four years and with the Soap Lake Police Department. In 1999, he was shot in the cheek when he responded to a neighborhood disturbance.
He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp8xpdyeas41ss6xxckt- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Matthew. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Lane gave the Ferry County Sheriff's Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Republic community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Lane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ferry County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Matthew is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Matthew was 42. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 42. 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. Matthew had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Fridays: 18%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Ferry County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Ferry County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ferry County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
