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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I can’t believe yesterday was 14 years since you were taken from us. I know you are missed everyday, not only by the ones you loved but by the entire county, both past and present, who had the great honor of knowing you. I know you are looking down from heaven watching us all, probably shaking your head at some of our antics, but still proud. We will never know why God chose you on that fateful day, but I know you are patrolling the streets of heaven, just as you did the country roads of Greenwood County.

Jennifer Best, NCSHP wife
Former Greenwood County resident

January 20, 2019