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Incident
Sheriff John Lammy was shot and killed by two suspects wanted for the murders of Undersheriff Milton Coleman, of the Dunn County, Wisconsin, Sheriff's Department and Deputy Charles Coleman, of the Pepin County, Wisconsin, Sheriff's Department on July 10, 1881.
The suspects had been observed near Mozier Island by a deputy from the Pike County Sheriff's Department. The Pike County sheriff alerted Sheriff Lammy and the two sheriffs, along with their deputies, began searching for the men. The suspects were located walking along a dry creek bed near Bay, Illinois, by two members of the posse. A shootout ensued and the two deputies were wounded.
Sheriff Lammy heard the shots and immediately raced to the creek bed on his horse and joined in the shootout. As he assisted one of the wounded deputies to safety, he was shot in the head by one of the suspects who was firing a Winchester rifle.
The two suspects stole horses belonging to the deputies and fled the scene.
Sheriff Lammy had served as sheriff for seven years.
The two suspects were the notorious Williams brothers, Ed and Lon. Robbers and murderers for years they were regarded by Wisconsin citizens as being as great as Frank and Jesse James. On November 7, 1881, Ed was captured in Grand Island, Kansas. He was taken to Durand where he was seized by an angry mob and hanged from a tree. On October 29, 1882, Lon was captured in Dodge City, Kansas, and returned to Wisconsin. He mysteriously disappeared from the Durand jail.
Survivors
He was survived by his father, two brothers and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Lammy gave the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hardin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Calhoun County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1881, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1881, 55 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 134th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1881, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 41. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 41. 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. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Calhoun County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.1% 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 rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; winchester, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Calhoun County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Calhoun County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
