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Incident
Sheriff Gene Cox was shot and killed while assisting the manager at the Ebb Tide RV Park in Eureka during a dispute with a resident. The unarmed Sheriff Cox parked in front of the subject's trailer and began to approach the trailer. The subject shot Sheriff Cox five times with a .30-.30 rifle at a range of approximately 15 feet. He then went to the management office and shot the manager, who was Sheriff Cox's father-in-law, and a bystander who went to his aid. The suspect, who had just been released from the Napa State Hospital, was shot and killed by Eureka police officers who were responding to the call. Sheriff Cox had been in law enforcement for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Gene is one person.
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Tributes
29 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Cox gave the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Eureka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gene W. Cox served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1945â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Humboldt County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gene is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gene is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gene is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gene was 56. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Gene had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gene was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gene had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gene was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gene had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 8.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Humboldt County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Gene among them.
Where
Military Service
Gene W. Cox served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1945–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gene W. Cox’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Humboldt County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
