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Incident
Detective Elise Ybarra was killed in a vehicle crash on I-20, outside of Abilene, when her department vehicle was struck by another car at approximately 6:15 pm.
She and two other detectives were en route to Dallas to attend the Crimes Against Children Conference. They encountered slow traffic due to a previous wreck on the interstate. A few moments later a pickup truck struck the rear of their unmarked car, causing Detective Ybarra to suffer fatal injuries. The other two detectives were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Detective Ybarra had served with the Abilene Police Department for three years and was assigned to the Special Victims Unit. She had previously served with the Sedalia, Missouri, Police Department.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and 10-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Ybarra gave the Abilene Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Abilene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ybarra.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Abilene Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Elise is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Elise is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elise is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer at Abilene Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 6 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Elise was 33. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Abilene Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 50; the middle age was 33. Elise had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Elise was 33. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Elise had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Elise was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Elise had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elise was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Elise had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Abilene Police Department; October holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 40%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Abilene Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Abilene Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Elise among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Abilene Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
