Winnie Austin Hansen

Winnie Austin Hansen
December 26, 1950
 

Deputy Sheriff Winnie Austin Hansen was a member of the Clark County Sheriff's Department.

On December 26, 1950, Officer Hansen, along with his partner Deputy Sheriff William Wolf, were proceeding east on Boulder Highway when they observed a vehicle that seemed out of control.

The officers stopped the vehicle in a safety zone in front of the Green Shack Restaurant, located on Boulder Highway, 500 feet from East Charleston Boulevard. Both officers exited their vehicle along with the driver of the stopped vehicle. It was found that the driver's vehicle was disabled due to a break line.

Deputy Hansen was standing to the rear of the vehicle, the citizen and Deputy Wolf were standing by the passenger door. Deputy Wolf observed a vehicle coming into the safety zone in their direction and immediately pulled the citizen and himself out of the way of the oncoming vehicle.

The on-coming car struck the door of the vehicle they had stopped, striking Deputy Hansen. Deputy Hansen was transported to the County Hospital where he died from his injuries at the age of 56.

The driver of the striking vehicle was arrested and convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter.