Incident
Game Warden Bill Pogue and Game Warden Conley Elms were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a poacher at a campsite along the South Fork in Owyhee County. The suspect was captured 15 months later. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years. Despite escaping prison and being on the run for a year, he was released from prison in February 2005. Warden Pogue had served with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for 25 years.
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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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Game Warden Pogue gave the Idaho Department of Fish and Game 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Boise community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Pogue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 44 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62% of the 71 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 2 officers in ID were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 3.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 50. Of the 39 killed feloniously in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 48; the middle age was 35. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 50. 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. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 25% of these deaths in ID, more than any other month. Mondays: 34.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 62% of all 71 deaths in ID, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Idaho Department of Fish and Game are honored on badge.nw.



