KEARNEY, Neb. — The names of two law enforcement officers who died while on duty in Buffalo County were nearly lost to history, but are now engraved in memorials for eternity.

Their stories are now preserved thanks in large part to the work of Harly Amy, an investigator with the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office.

“I think it’s important that these guys are recognized for their commitment and service to their communities and I don’t want their sacrifice to be in vain,” Amy said.

Last summer, the sheriff’s office received a letter from the Officer Down Memorial page regarding a former deputy named Willis Daggett.

Amy, who had previously led a project to identify the graves of former officers, looked into the trail and discovered records showing that Daggett worked for the county starting in 1929.

“I put together a bunch of files, a bunch of newspaper articles and found the closest family I could, which in this case was in Houston,” Amy said.

His research revealed that Daggett died while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in 1930. He lost control of his 1929 Dodge Model 6 patrol car, struck a guardrail, and plunged into Clear Creek.

“Of course, in those days there was no radio, no GPS,” Amy said. “He managed to get out of the car, out of the river and walk to a nearby farm to get help.”

But as this Ravenna News article says, he ultimately died from a fractured skull.

Amy was ready to submit Daggett’s name for the National Law Enforcement Memorial, when County Attorney Shawn Eatherton mentioned something during a conversation with the county sheriff.

“That his (great-grandfather) was also a law enforcement officer who was killed in a car accident while chasing a suspect,” Amy said.
“We’d never heard of it either.”

Eatherton’s great-grandfather, Orren Eatherton, was a night commissioner in Shelton when his patrol vehicle overturned during a chase. The fatal accident was discovered the next morning.

“He died giving to the people and I think it’s an honor that when men and women make that choice, I’m proud to play a part in it,” Eatherton said.

Thanks to Amy’s research, Daggett and Eatherton were honored at a ceremony in Kearney last week and their names were added to the state law enforcement memorial here in Grand Island. Amy, Eatherton and two other lawmakers also traveled to Washington DC to view the names added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

“It was an absolutely incredible experience to see so many people impacted by the loss of a law enforcement officer in their family or community,” Amy said.

“It gives you chills,” Eatherton said. “This is a very impressive and well-deserved honor for all who donated.”

And for Amy, it’s the culmination of an unexpected dive into the local history of her craft.

“But to see them in there, where they may have been lost, you know, those names have been forgotten,” Amy said. “Now (they are) recognized and now where people can see them and they will always be there, it’s a nice feeling.