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Incident
Sheriff Lewis was shot and killed while responding to reports that a man was walking on North Main Street in Milbank with a .22 caliber rifle. The suspect hid in a shed and opened fire on the sheriff as he searched for him. A service station attendant and a 12-year-old boy were also shot and wounded. The 31-year-old suspect, an ex-convict, had been out of prison less than 24 hours after serving eight years for burglary. He was convicted of Sheriff Lewis' murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life on December 7, 1943. In 1982 he was the second oldest inmate in the South Dakota Penitentiary.
Survivors
Sheriff Lewis was survived by four young children, and his wife who was named deputy sheriff by her husband's successor.
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 Lewis gave the Grant County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milbank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Melbourne is the only officer of Grant County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Melbourne is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Melbourne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melbourne 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 1941, 1 officer in SD was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Melbourne was 34. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Melbourne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Melbourne was 34. 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. Melbourne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melbourne was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Melbourne had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.5% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Wednesdays: 5.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Grant County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 2.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Grant County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.