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Incident
Sheriff Orla Hefner was shot and killed while attempting to question an AWOL soldier from Ft. Bliss, Texas.
The soldier was working on a farm in Kearny County when Sheriff Hefner went to question him. The suspect escaped but was shot and killed by a posse the following day.
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.
Sheriff Hefner served with the Kearny County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lakin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hefner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orla is the only officer of Kearny County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Orla is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Orla is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orla 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 1920, 7 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orla was 38. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Orla was 38. 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.
Orla was 38. 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%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kearny County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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