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Incident
Justice of the Peace Audley Galbraith was shot and killed in Acme, Washington, by two ex-convicts who had just stolen two pairs of work boots.
A citizen had informed Justice Galbraith of the theft and then accompanied him to arrest the men. When Justice Galbraith located them, he told them they were under arrest. Both men suddenly jumped up and opened fire, mortally wounding Justice Galbraith and the citizen. Despite the wound, the citizens were able to return fire and wounded one of the men while the other man fled.
The subject who was shot was sentenced to life in prison but was later pardoned.
Justice Galbraith was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Justice Galbraith was survived by his wife and six children.
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.
Justice of the Peace Galbraith served with the Whatcom County Courts.
Thank you for your service to the Bellingham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Justice of the Peace Galbraith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Audley is the only officer of Whatcom County Courts remembered here.
Audley is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Audley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Audley 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 1911, 5 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Audley was 60. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
Audley was 60. 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.
Audley was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Whatcom County Courts. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
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