The faces and names you will see and read about are those of law enforcement officers who have died in Nebraska. Each was a member of a family. of a community, and dedicated his life to protecting the citezens of Nebraska. We honor them.

Adams-Cherry | Cheyenne-Dawes | Dawson-Dodge | Douglas | Frontier-Hitchcock | Holt-Keith | Lancaster | Lincoln-Loup | Madison-Platte | Polk-Sheridan | Thayer-York

		Marshal James D. Addison, Holt County Stuart Village Marshal James D. Addison was shot at about 10:35 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 1964, west of the town square in Stuart. Addison had arrested an 18 year-old male for a traffic offense and jailed him, having stopped the same individual the week before and giving the same warning. The father of the arrested youth contacted the county attorney and police magistrate, wanting his son released from jail. The father encountered Addison near the square and argued with him about his son's incarceration. The man pulled a revolver and shot the Marshal twice. Addison's wife witnessed the shooting and, with assistance from two local youths, rushed him to Atkison Hospital. Addison died during surgery at about 11:00 p.m. He was 51 years old and survived by his wife, Bernice, and three children.
		Chief of Police Chester (Chet) Calkins, Holt County O'Neill Chief of Police Chester (Chet) Calkins was shot and killed at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 1952, just off Main Street in O'Neill, after apparently observing someone stealing from parked cars. His brother, Night Policeman Walt Calkins, found Chief Calkins in his patrol car at about 2:00 a.m. Calkins had been shot five times at close range while seated in the patrol car. Joseph McLimans was later identified as a suspect in the case, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Calkins was 51 years old and survived by his wife, Hazel, and three children.
		Sheriff Bernard "Barney" F. Kearns, Holt County Sheriff Bernard "Barney" F. Kearns was shot on Monday, March 28, 1881, and died about 30 minutes later. A group of cowboys were creating a disturbance in O'Neill and Kearns disarmed one man named Stuart. Later, Stuart talked another man named Reed into helping him confront Sheriff Kearns. The two did so and Reed shot Sheriff Kearns. Deputy Sheriff James Connolly was wounded as he was coming to the aid of his fellow lawman. Reed was later arrested but acquitted at the murder trial. Sheriff Kearns was 30 years old at the time of his death.
		Chief of Police Asa L. Ransom, Kearney County Minden Chief of Police Asa L. Ransom was shot and killed during the early morning hours on Sunday, October 19, 1924. The shooting occurred about 5 1Ú2 miles northeast of Minden on the D-L-D Highway. Chief Ransom was searching for escapees from the Minden jail that had burglarized businesses in the town the previous night. Ransom and a special deputy set up a roadblock north of town and stopped a suspicious vehicle. As Chief Ransom approached and began talking to the occupants, shots rang out. Ransom fell, mortally wounded, and died a few minutes later. The two men escaped but were identified later and captured. Chief Ransom was 44 years old and survived by his wife, Laura, and three sons.
		Constable William H. Smith, Kearney County Constable William H. Smith was shot and killed in the afternoon on Monday, November 8, 1886, north of Minden. Constable Smith had a court order to execute on property owned by John Shafer. Constable Smith and Shafer exchanged words when Smith attempted to levy by taking a cow as part of the court execution. Shafer became upset and shot Smith with a shotgun. Sheriff Hill and a posse later captured Shafer. Constable Smith was 24 years old and single. He was elected Constable in 1883.
		Deputy Sheriff Reuben Kelley, Kearney County Deputy Sheriff Reuben Kelley was shot and killed along with Hitchcock County Sheriff Jack Woods on Monday, October 16, 1882, while attempting to arrest horse thieves. Deputy Kelley was in the Prairie Home Hotel eating his late meal when Sheriff Woods entered to arrest the two men. After Sheriff Woods was shot by one of the men, Deputy Kelley grabbed the suspect and pushed him into the wall. The other man stepped up behind Kelley and shot him in the back of the head. Kelley died instantly. Deputy Kelley was 41 years old and survived by his wife.
		Sheriff George N. Heiser, Keith County Sheriff George N. Heiser was shot and killed at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 1923, while leading law enforcement officers on a search for the murderer of Scottsbluff Police Officer Albert Peterson, who had been killed less than a week earlier. They had learned that the suspect was hiding in a house on the Ritt Ranch in Arthur County. Sheriff Heiser discovered the suspect and, upon ordering him out of hiding, was shot and killed when the man suddenly produced a handgun. The other officers then opened fire, killing the suspect. Heiser was 46 years old and survived by his wife, Myrtle.