Sheriff Joseph Lanier, Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department, Tribal Police

Sheriff Joseph Lanier

Choctaw Nation Public Safety Department, Tribal Police

End of Watch Thursday, September 22, 1881

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Joseph Lanier

Sheriff Joseph Lanier was fatally shot by a man seeking revenge against him.

Sheriff Lanier had been enforcing permit laws on Choctaw Nation land and had enforcement an order issued by the governor ordering the subject to leave the land. On September 22nd, 1881, Sheriff Lanier was in a store in Skullyville with his wife when he encountered the subject. The man confronted him and followed him into a backroom. As Sheriff Lanier walked back into the main part of the store the man fatally shot him.

The man fled the scene.

Bio

Age 26
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Oklahoma
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Not available

off duty, retaliation

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Most of society lives in a world that doesn’t recognize what gives them the comforts they live in. Because of you, and people like you, society can live that way.

You put the badge on to make the community a better place. You put the badge on for justice. You put the badge on to save life. You put the badge on for the principles it represents. The badges didn’t make you a hero, the badge was worn by a hero. To your family, and the generations that followed, thank you for your service. Be proud of this man, I am.

Sergeant Christian Yanchula
Forensic Services
Indian River County Sheriff's Office

September 22, 2022