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Incident
Officer Joel Conklin was shot and killed at the scene of a domestic disturbance at 10:05 pm. When Officer Conclin arrived at the home, he noticed a broken window and damaged front door and heard screams around the back of the house. He went to the backyard where the subject held a woman hostage. The subject shot him in the face before he could draw his weapon. Back-up officers arrived on the scene two minutes later, but the subject had fled with his female hostage. The subject released his hostage before committing suicide as other officers closed in on him. Officer Conklin had served with the Hastings Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Officer Conklin gave the Hastings Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hastings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Conklin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hastings Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joel is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joel 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 1993, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 37. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Joel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joel was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Saturdays: 17.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October 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 Hastings Police Department. 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Hastings Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hastings Police Department are honored on badge.nw.