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

		NE State Trooper Donald Matejka, Madison County Nebraska State Trooper Donald Matejka died on Wednesday, December 27, 1989, at about 11:20 p.m. Trooper Matejka and Trooper Bob Totten had responded to a domestic violence call at a mobile home park north of Norfolk just off Highway #81. Matejka and Totten contacted a subject later identified as Randy Rogers. While Totten spoke with Rogers, Matejka spoke with the female subject involved. When Rogers attempted to leave he was stopped by Matejka. A struggle occurred and Matejka suffered a heart attack. Matejka was transported to Norfolk Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Trooper Matejka was 56 years old and survived by his wife, Carolyn, and four children.
		Deputy Sheriff James J. Drahota, Madison County Deputy Sheriff James J. Drahota died at about 4:55 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 1962, from injuries he suffered in a two-car crash. The collision occurred about 8 1/2 miles south of Norfolk on Highway #81, at about 1:00 p.m. when Sheriff Burt Ray Jr. observed a vehicle driven by a youth believed under age to drive. Deputy Drahota was a passenger in the patrol car and the two officers followed the youth until he turned into a farm lane. Sheriff Ray pulled to the shoulder and then began to turn his car around. As he began to turn the car around on the highway, a northbound car slammed into the passenger side of the patrol car. Six others, including Sheriff Ray, were hospitalized following the crash. Deputy Drahota was 52 years old and survived by his wife, Florence, and eight children.
		Sheriff Samuelson D. Johnson, Nance County Sheriff Samuelson D. Johnson was shot and killed at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 1961, while serving a warrant on a subject believed to be insane. Johnson and Special Deputy Aaron Hadfield went to the Hubert Heule residence located about 6 miles southeast of Fullerton. When they arrived, Johnson went into the house and asked Hadfield to wait. When Johnson didn't return, Hadfield went to the door of the house and observed Johnson in a struggle with Heule. Johnson managed to escape and the two lawmen sought cover in a nearby barn. Heule had obtained a shotgun and came after the two men. Johnson instructed Hadfield to run out the back door while he attempted to make it to his car where he had a revolver in the glove box. Hadfield escaped and watched in horror as Sheriff Johnson was shot down in the laneway to the farm. Hadfield then saw Heule flee in his modified car, but he was later captured in Kansas. Sheriff Johnson was 60 years old and survived by his wife and three children.
		Police Officer Gary R. White, Otoe County Nebraska City Police Officer Gary R. White was shot and killed at about 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 1977, at the rear of the police department in Nebraska City. Officer White and Officer Pete Rishel were attempting to contact a subject driving a pickup truck in the alley. The officers believed the driver of the truck was wanted in connection with a domestic assault that had occurred earlier. As the officers approached the truck, the driver produced a shotgun and fired at both officers. White was stuck under his protective vest and collapsed. Rishel was wounded but was able to return fire. The suspect escaped but was arrested near York on I-80 at a rest area. Officer White was 24 years old and single at the time of his death. White had been a police officer for nine days.
		Deputy Sheriff Howard C. McCallum, Otoe County Deputy Sheriff Howard C. McCallum died from a gunshot wound at about 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 1930. McCallum was in the Sheriff's Office at the County Courthouse when a suspect in a burglary case entered the building. The suspect pulled a revolver when he was confronted, then ran from the courthouse with McCallum not far behind. The suspect turned and fired, fatally wounding the lawman. The Otoe County Sheriff continued the chase through city streets, finally shooting and killing the suspect. Deputy McCallum was 41 years old and survived by his wife, Florence, and six children.
		Sheriff Cloud H. Fuller, Pawnee County Sheriff Cloud H. Fuller died from a gunshot wound at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 1911. Sheriff Fuller was attempting to arrest a man that was believed to have killed three members of the McVitty family south of Pawnee City. Sheriff Fuller obtained help from three local men and went in search of the murderer. About a mile into Kansas Sheriff Fuller and the other men found the suspect's trail and followed it to a small corncob shed near the Lepley School. As Fuller approached the suspect emerged and shot the lawman. The three men who had accompanied Fuller fled and returned with help, only to find that the suspect had shot himself. Sheriff Fuller was gravely wounded and was taken to a nearby house where he later died. Sheriff Fuller was 53 years old and survived by his wife, Lizzie, and several children.
		Marshal Nicholas Craig, Pawnee County Table Rock Marshal Nicholas Craig was shot at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 1896, at the railroad depot. Marshal Craig had received word that he should be on the lookout for men involved in a burglary in Falls City. He went to the depot to watch for the men and checked the train that had recently arrived from Falls City. Craig observed as a strange man enter the lunchroom and decided to watch him. The man asked to trade a revolver for some lunches for himself and his two partners. Marshal Craig approached the man and asked him to withdraw his hands from his pockets. The man drew out two revolvers, shot Craig in the head, then turned and fled. Marshal Craig died about half hour later. He was 39 years old and was survived by his wife, Agnes.
		Sheriff Myles S. Keller, Perkins County Sheriff Myles S. Keller died in a North Platte hospital from a gunshot wound at about 3:15 p.m. on November 9, 1924. He was shot by a subject while making an arrest on Friday, October 31, 1924, in Elsie, Nebraska. Sheriff Keller was called to Elsie on a disturbance and located the suspect. As Keller proceeded to arrest the subject, he suddenly pulled a concealed handgun and shot the lawman in the stomach. Keller returned fire and wounded the suspect. He then disarmed the suspect before collapsing. Both were taken to North Platte for emergency treatment. Sheriff Keller was 40 years old and survived by his wife, Hazel, and two children.
		Union Pacific Special Agent Ray W. Daugherty, Platte County Union Pacific Special Agent Ray W. Daugherty was killed at about 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 1917. It is believed that a Union Pacific train struck Daugherty as it crossed the Loup River Bridge west of Columbus. Daugherty was assigned to guard the bridge and was killed instantly when struck by the engine of the train. It is believed that he did not hear the approaching train because of another train going by at the same time. Agent Daugherty was 24 years old and survived by his wife and several children. He had been on the job for only four days when he was killed.