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Incident
Sheriff John S. Degman was killed as he delivered breakfast to an inmate in the county jail.
Sheriff Degman put the inmate's meal on the window and turned to leave. As he did so, the inmate, who had a long history of criminal behavior and who had recently been arrested on charges that he had abused his family and raped his own daughter, hit him on the back of the head with a piece of firewood that Sheriff Degman had allowed him to keep in his cell. The inmate then struck Sheriff Degman at least twice more, fracturing his skull.
The inmate escaped from the jail but was caught in the yard by the former Colfax County sheriff. The former sheriff called for Sheriff Degman to come and get his prisoner and became alarmed when he got no response. He ran to the jail and discovered Sheriff Degman unconscious on the floor. Sheriff Degman succumbed to his injuries soon after.
Sheriff Degman's killer was returned to the jail, but a mob of two hundred men arrived that night and overpowered the officers guarding him. The mob seized the prisoner and hung him at the north side of the courthouse.
Sheriff Degman had served with the Colfax County Sheriff's Department for two years but had only acted as Sheriff for 10 days at the time of his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, a sister, and three brothers, one of whom served as a city marshal before being appointed to the position of Colfax County Sheriff following his brother's death.
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
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Degman gave the Colfax County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Schuyler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Colfax County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
John is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1886, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 35. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Tuesdays: 8.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Colfax County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object; firewood, 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 blunt object; firewood, in 1% 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 blunt object; firewood, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; firewood, in 0% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
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