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Incident
Sheriff Pratt and Patrolman Edward Clark, of the North Platte, Nebraska, Police Department, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two suspects wanted for a two-state crime spree. The two suspects had been stopped by Patrolman Clark near the South River Bridge. During the stop Patrolman Clark and the suspects became engaged in a heated argument and he was shot in the back as he turned away from them. The suspects fled back into Kansas where they were stopped by Sheriff Pratt, who was shot and killed as he approached their car. The suspects fled the scene. A week later one of the suspects, age 17, was arrested at his home in Tucumari, New Mexico. He claimed that the other suspect, who was nearly twice his age, shot and killed Patrolman Clark and Sheriff Pratt. On September 11, 1925, the second suspect was shot and killed in a gun battle with police in Altus, Oklahoma. The 17 year-old suspect was convicted of Patrolman Clark's murder and sentenced to life on October 10, 1925. He was paroled in October of 1936.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Pratt served with the Thomas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Colby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Pratt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Samuel is the only officer of Thomas County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Samuel is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 5 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 63. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Samuel was 63. 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.
Samuel was 63. 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 Thomas 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 52% of all 33,917 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 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Thomas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.