Sheriff Matthew Haden Samuels, Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, Kansas

Sheriff Matthew Haden Samuels

Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, Kansas

End of Watch Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Matthew Haden Samuels

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 occupants of the home 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. His original conviction and death sentence was then upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

Sheriff Samuels had served with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office for 21 years and had served as sheriff for five years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Bio

Age 42
Tour 21 years
Badge GW1

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .44 caliber
Offender Sentenced to death

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Most Recent Reflection

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I remember hanging out on the corner of Main and River and Matt would always come around and chat with us awhile. Likely making sure we were not up to "no good" lol, but it sure was fun to talk to him! Another memory, him catching me after curfew one night and taking me home to my Mom and saying, "Martha, his your daughter again!"
He was one of the reasons I joined the Navy, later became a dispatcher, and ultimately changed my life for the better.

Sharla Speer-Ellithorp
Fellow Eurekan

January 17, 2018