Roll of Honor
Elmer Murray Harris
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elmer Harris was shot and killed in front of 4601 State Street, in East St. Louis, while attempting to arrest a man for illegally carrying a weapon. Deputy Harris and another deputy were working a secondary employment job providing security on a public transit bus. They observed a man with a handgun board the bus and attempted to arrest him. A foot pursuit ensued during which the man shot Deputy Harris. Despite his wounds, Deputy Harris was able to return fire and wounded the subject.
Survivors
Deputy Harris was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-A9668A1C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Elmer is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Harris gave the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Belleville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Elmer Murray Harris served in the U.S. Air Force (1966â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Elmer Murray Harris 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer Murray Harris's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer Murray Harris Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer Murray Harris is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer Murray Harris was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Elmer Murray Harris served in the U.S. Air Force (1966–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Elmer Murray Harris’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from St. Clair County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
