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Luke Douglas Nihart
Incident
Natural Resources Officer Luke Nihart was killed in an ATV crash while working at the Country Stampede music festival at Tuttle Creek State Park.
He was entering the parking area of a Department of Wildlife and Parks office when his ATV flipped over at approximately 3:20 am. He was transported to Mercy Regional Health Center, where he succumbed to his injuries two hours later.
Officer Nihart had served with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpaygqjd6gcfch597159- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Natural Resources Officer Nihart gave the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Natural Resources Officer Nihart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Luke is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Luke is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luke 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 2010, 2 officers in KS were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 3.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 79 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Luke was 32. Of the 59 lost to accidents in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 49; the middle age was 37. Luke had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Luke was 32. 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. Luke had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luke was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luke had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 13.6% of these deaths in KS; November holds the most, 13.6%. Saturdays: 12.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, 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
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division has 4 officers remembered here, Luke among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
