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Incident
Sheriff Earl Kerns suffered a fatal heart attack after being punched in the chest while attempting to arrest a man for public drunkenness.
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 Kerns served with the Stevens County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hugoton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Kerns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Stevens County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Earl is one of 15 officers lost to cardiac events in KS, 4.5% of the 335 remembered there.
Earl is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 1 officer in KS was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1949, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1949, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
When
December holds 6.7% of these deaths in KS; September holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Stevens County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.5% of all 335 deaths in KS, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Stevens County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Stevens County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.