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Incident
Sheriff Walter Davis was shot and killed while he and another officer attempted to arrest two robbery suspects. As Sheriff Davis searched one of the men the other man opened fire, fatally wounding him. Several posse members were also shot and wounded during a search for the man. The 22 year-old suspect and an accomplice were eventually apprehended and convicted of Sheriff Davis' murder, and sentenced to life in prison on October 12, 1916. In 1925 Governor Clyde M. Reed reduced the murderer's sentence to 15 years making him eligible for parole. Sheriff Davis was predeceased by his wife and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Emporia, Lyons County, Kansas.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Davis served with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Emporia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lyon County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1916, 5 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 44. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Walter was 44. 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.
Walter was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lyon County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lyon County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lyon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
