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Incident
Sheriff Lanahan was shot and killed after being setup following his recent election victory over the incumbent, the notorious Wild Bill Hickok. Several local outlaws staged a fight at a local saloon and when Sheriff Lanahan entered they shot him twice.
One of the suspects was shot and killed by Sheriff Lanahan. Sheriff Lanahan was buried in Boot Hill Cemetery, Hayes City, Kansas.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Lanahan served with the Ellis County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hays community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ellis County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1871, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1871, 33 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1871, 35 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 11.4% of these deaths in KS, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Ellis County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Ellis County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ellis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.