Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, Kansas
End of Watch Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Add to My HeroesMatthew 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 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. He is survived by his wife, who works as a correctional officer, son, and daughter.
Sheriff Samuels' father and grandfather had also served in law enforcement.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 21 years
- Badge GW1
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .44 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 373 ReflectionsI remember hearing about this as a kid and seeing his statue in the Greenwood County courthouse. I think about his story often whenever I think about what it means to be a hero.
Thank you for your sacrifice Officer Samuels.
Jacob J
Citizen
July 14, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024