Roll of Honor
Gilbert C. Gallagher
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Gilbert Gallagher, Sheriff Levi Parnell, and Officer Elbert Claar of the Pullman Police Department were shot by a suspect after the man fought with another man. Officer Claar had spotted the man at a filling station and attempted to arrest him in Pullman, Washington. As Officer Claar returned to his car to retrieve his nightstick, the man opened fire with a .22 caliber handgun, striking Officer Claar five times. The suspect then drove to his house and grabbed a rifle with a scope before heading to a nearby hill. Deputy Gallagher responded to the residence and exited his cruiser. As he looked toward the house, the suspect shot him in the back and fired at another deputy who was able to get cover. The suspect then moved to another part of the hill near a college campus, where he shot and killed a civilian who was looking for him. Sheriff Parnell and another deputy also responded to the scene, and as Sheriff Parnell exited his cruiser, he was shot once in the chest by the suspect. The suspect was finally surrounded and found hiding in bushes by a group of officers and citizens who opened fire, fatally wounding him. Deputy Gallagher was a United States Army WWII veteran and served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Department for two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-010B796D- 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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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Gallagher served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Colfax community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gilbert C. Gallagher served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Gilbert C. Gallagher 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Whitman County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gilbert C. Gallagher's cause is highlighted.
How Gilbert C. Gallagher Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gilbert C. Gallagher is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gilbert C. Gallagher was killed by rifle.
Military Service
Gilbert C. Gallagher served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gilbert C. Gallagher’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Whitman County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
