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Incident
Sheriff Sanderson was shot and killed while investigating a murder near Harvard, Nebraska. While on the scene he was informed that a subject was walking nearby. When the subject ignored Sheriff Sanderson's orders to stop the Sheriff fired a warning shot in the air. As he did so, the man turned and shot Sheriff Sanderson. The man fled but later committed suicide as he was cornered by a posse.
Survivors
Sheriff Sanderson was survived by his wife and two children.
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 Sanderson served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Clay Center community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sanderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Clay County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Charles is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1914, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 36. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 36. 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.
Charles was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.2% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Wednesdays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.