Roll of Honor
Elmer Marion "Okie" Parmer
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elmer M. Parmer was electrocuted while attempting to clear the roadway of a downed guidewire following a vehicle pursuit. Deputy Parmer was chasing a car on U.S. Highway 24/40 about eight miles southwest of Tonganoxie when the car swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a motorcycle, killing the 20-year-old driver. After hitting the motorcycle, the car went into a ditch, striking the guidewire, which snapped. About 30 minutes later, Deputy Parmer and a truck driver from Texas, who had stopped because of the crash, were moving the guidewire from the highway. As they moved it, a power line dangling from the pole brushed the guidewire and sent an estimated 12,000 volts through it, killing Deputy Parmer. The truck driver suffered severe burns. The 25-year-old driver of the vehicle Deputy Parmer had chased was jailed on charges of fourth-degree manslaughter, speeding, having an open alcoholic bottle, reckless driving, resisting arrest, and driving while under the influence of liquor. One passenger in his car suffered a head injury, and three other occupants fled the scene on foot but were later apprehended. Deputy Parmer had served with the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-9DB58528- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Parmer gave the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leavenworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Parmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Elmer Marion "Okie" Parmer is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KS, 66 of 335 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 19.7% of this state's fallen. That is 11.3 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer Marion "Okie" Parmer's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer Marion "Okie" Parmer Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer Marion "Okie" Parmer is highlighted in Aug.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
