Elmer M. Cox
Agency patch
Police Officer

Elmer M. Cox

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
End of Watch May 5, 1925
Age 35
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 307
The Vigil Panel 49 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Elmer Cox was shot and killed while searching for a robbery suspect in the area of E. Warren Avenue and Bishop Street. Other officers who were patrolling the area in search of the suspect located Officer Cox suffering from a bullet wound to the stomach. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wound. Two suspects were apprehended, one in 1927. Both were released due to insufficient evidence. Officer Cox had served with the Detroit Police Department for 8 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F904D1DA
Stewardship
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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cox gave the Detroit Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cox.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Detroit, Wayne County, MI
Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 5, 1925
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 35
Badge Number 307
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Police Officer Elmer M. Cox is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.

Detroit Police Department
177
of 250 officers
70.8% Felonious
MI — Statewide
426
of 719 officers
59.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer M. Cox's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Elmer M. Cox Compares

Age at Death
35
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer M. Cox is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer M. Cox was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location