Sheridan County Sheriff James Leroy Johnson, 54, was killed in his Hoxie office on October 26, 2006, while meeting with a distraught local man. Johnson had served as sheriff for 18 years after starting with the Hoxie Police Department and was described as calm and committed to duty.

The visitor, 36-year-old Steven Paul Reitcheck, was in the office because officers were concerned about his mental state and were discussing voluntary commitment. The undersheriff left to arrange transport, and as the final details were being made, Reitcheck produced a concealed handgun and shot Sheriff Johnson. A deputy present returned fire and fatally shot Reitcheck. No other arrests were made.

Sheriff Johnson left a spouse and six adult children and was remembered by the community as kind and fair. Does anyone have information about Johnson’s final hours or memories of his service to Sheridan County?