Colfax County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska
End of Watch Tuesday, January 12, 1886
Add to My HeroesJohn S. Degman
Sheriff John S. Degman was killed as he delivered breakfast to an inmate in the county jail.
Sheriff Degman put the inmate's meal on the window and turned to leave. As he did so, the inmate, who had a long history of criminal behavior and who had recently been arrested on charges that he had abused his family and raped his own daughter, hit him on the back of the head with a piece of firewood that Sheriff Degman had allowed him to keep in his cell. The inmate then struck Sheriff Degman at least twice more, fracturing his skull.
The inmate escaped from the jail but was caught in the yard by the former Colfax County sheriff. The former sheriff called for Sheriff Degman to come and get his prisoner and became alarmed when he got no response. He ran to the jail and discovered Sheriff Degman unconscious on the floor. Sheriff Degman succumbed to his injuries soon after.
Sheriff Degman's killer was returned to the jail, but a mob of two hundred men arrived that night and overpowered the officers guarding him. The mob seized the prisoner and hung him at the north side of the courthouse.
Sheriff Degman had served with the Colfax County Sheriff's Department for two years but had only acted as Sheriff for 10 days at the time of his death. He was survived by his mother, a sister, and three brothers, one of whom served as a city marshal before being appointed to the position of Colfax County Sheriff following his brother's death.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Weapon Blunt object; Firewood
- Offender Lynched
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsSheriff Degman,
On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colfax County.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
January 12, 2016
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025

Sergeant Shiou Deng
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 23, 2025

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025