Hastings Police Officer Joel R. Conklin, 37, of Juniata died in the line of duty Saturday, Oct. 9, 1993, in Hastings.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the City Auditorium in Hastings with Rev. Thomas Murray officiating. Burial will be in Juniata Cemetery. Butler-Volland Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Conklin was born April 16, 1956, to Shugart L. and Agnes (Janke) Conklin in West Plains, MO. He attended school in Jamestown, ND, moving to Exeter in 1968. He graduated from Exeter High School in 1974. On June 5, 1976, he married Deb Hansen in Grand Island and in that same year, he was baptized in the Third City Christian Church.  In 1979, Tracy was born. In 1985, Joel became a member of the Juniata Community Church and a member of the Juniata Volunteer Fire Department in which he achieved a status of E.M.T. He was employed by the city of Hastings for five years before attending and graduating from the 105th Basic Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Camp in December 1990. He was honored with awards for outstanding performance and academic achievement. He was a member of the Hastings Police Department for the past three years. The Conklin family lived in Juniata for 13 years.

He was a member of the Juniata Community Church and was treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Survivors are his wife and daughter, Tracy; his mother and step-father, Agnes and Harold Cromer of Hastings; three brothers, Doug, Grant, and Jerome, all of Juniata; and his grandmother, Christine Janke of Arvada, Colo.

Some of Joel's favorite things to do were to go camping with his family, spending time outdoors, and improving our house. My dad was not much of a sports person but if it meant spending time with me he was always there. Some of my dad's favorite shows were Rockford Files, and of course, NightCourt. His two favorite songs were "Way Up North" and "Ghostriders In The Sky".

Joel was described by his family and friends as: goal-oriented, enjoyed the role of protector, listened to other people's problems, a family man, and was always in a cheerful mood with a wonderful sense of humor.

Day #13,681 of Joel's Life • Pictures from Washington, DC • My Letter • Pictures of Joel • A Letter from Joel's Niece
Poems, Emails, and Graphics • Links and Other Memorial Sites • Article from 10th Anniversary of Joel's Death