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Incident
Sheriff Koerner was killed in an accident while en route to serve a search warrant. His vehicle struck a cattle truck at the intersection of Highway 287 and Highway 40. Sheriff Koerner had been sheriff for 29 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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29 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Koerner gave the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hugo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Koerner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Merlin is the only officer of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Merlin is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Merlin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Merlin is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 4 officers in CO were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Merlin had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Merlin had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Merlin had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 16.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.