Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Lewis was shot and killed while protecting a prisoner from an angry mob attempting to lynch the man.
The prisoner had been arrested for murdering a 15-year-old boy and was being held at a hotel in Linkville, Oregon. The man was being held on the order of the justice of the peace, who planned to hold a hearing on the upcoming Monday.
A group of 10 to 18 masked men entered the hotel and attempted to take the prisoner. Deputy Lewis refused to hand him over, and a shootout ensued. Deputy Lewis was struck in the leg and bled to death within minutes. The justice of the peace was wounded in the arm. One of the masked men was shot and reportedly died as a result of the wound.
No other subjects were ever tried or convicted of Deputy Lewis' murder.
Deputy Lewis was survived by his brother and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Lewis was survived by his brother and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq3r9wht72p8a14c183d- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Lewis served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeview community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 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 1882, 1 officer in OR was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1882, 51 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 25. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
Samuel was 25. 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 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 6.1% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.2% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.