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Incident
Agent Bill Lakanen and Agent Don Simpson were shot to death in the Sierra Madre mountain range near Rawlings, Wyoming while investigating reports of illegal beaver hunting. The suspect wanted in connection with their murder died in a cabin fire before being taken into custody. Agent Lakanen had served with the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
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.
Agent Lakanen gave the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheyenne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Lakanen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyoming Department of Game and Fish has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Bill is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Bill is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bill 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 1945, 2 officers in WY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bill was 44. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5. Bill had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Bill 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. Bill had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bill was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bill had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 12.2% of these deaths in WY; March holds the most, 14.6%. Wednesdays: 17.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 43.9% 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
Wyoming Department of Game and Fish has 6 officers remembered here, Bill among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wyoming Department of Game and Fish are honored on badge.nw.
