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Incident
Sheriff Matthew Samuels was shot and killed at approximately 10:00 am as he and two deputies served an arrest warrant at a home near Virgil, Kansas.
Three home occupants were taken into custody following the shooting, but the shooter barricaded himself in the home.
The man was taken into custody by the Kansas Highway Patrol SRT later in the night. During the arrest, the suspect fired several rounds at the team, striking their ballistic shields. The suspect who shot Sheriff Samuels was convicted of capital murder in October 2007 and sentenced to death. On August 24th, 2012, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial. The United States Supreme Court then upheld his original conviction and death sentence.
Sheriff Samuels had served with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office for 21 years and had served as sheriff for five years.
Sheriff Samuels' father and grandfather had also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, who works as a correctional officer, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Samuels gave the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Eureka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Samuels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Matthew is the only officer of Greenwood County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Matthew is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 2005, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 42. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Matthew had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Matthew was 42. 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. Matthew had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Greenwood County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.8% 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 handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Greenwood County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.