"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Elko County (NV) Sheriff's Deputy Denny Van Lawrence

A seemingly routine response to a vehicle crash turned deadly. This is the story of a beloved Nevada deputy who was shot and struggled mightily for 30 years before finally succumbing to his injuries.

Deputy Denny Van Lawrence

McLean, VA (June 30, 2026) - Elko County (NV)Deputy Sheriff Denny Van Lawrence responded to what seemed like a minor crash on Highway 93 on June 26, 1982 — unaware the driver had murdered two people hours earlier. As Denny ran the man’s license, the suspect shot him in the forehead, leaving him unable to speak and partially paralyzed for the next 30 years. As Denny’s assailant attempted to steal a vehicle and escape, two armed citizens stepped forward and shot and killed the man. Denny died on January 17, 2012, at the age of 77. He had spent three decades after the shooting in an assisted-living facility. Before and during his long struggle after the shooting, Denny inspired everyone around him. His daughter, Anita, wrote that he “lived life to the fullest;” a doctor called him “a man amongst men;” and a community friend remembered him as “a protector” beloved by local children. His death in 2012 was a direct result of the shooting, and his name now rests on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of his story: https://behindbadge.substack.com/p/heroes-live-forever-the-story-of-777