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Incident
Deputy Davidson was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the Shawnee County Jail. An inmate attempted to escape and attacked Deputy Davidson. Deputy Davidson and the inmate fell down a set of stairs and the inmate was able to gain control of Deputy Davidson's revolver and shot him once. Deputy Davidson continued to pursue the inmate and was shot two more times. Although mortally wounded he was able to pin the inmate down and died on top of him, preventing his escape. The 20 year-old suspect, who was being held for bank robbery and the murder of a merchant policeman in Omaha, Nebraska, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On March 30, 1935, he was shot and killed while attempting to escape from the Kansas Penitentiary.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Davidson served with the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Davidson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shawnee County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 5 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 56. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Benjamin was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Benjamin was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 9.7% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Shawnee County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Shawnee County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Shawnee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
