Roll of Honor
Herbert D. Cook
Incident
Location: Arkansas Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Special Agent Herbert Cook was shot and killed when he discovered a trespasser in the railroad yards at the foot of East Fourth Street in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He was accompanying a boxcar inspector when they heard a noise behind a pile of railroad ties. As Special Agent Cook walked towards the noise a man hiding behind the ties opened fire, striking him. The man then stole Special Agent Cook's gun.
The railroad inspector was able to run from the scene and called authorities. Two Little Rock Police Department motor officers responded to the location and were shot at as they examined Special Agent Cook's body. The subject evaded capture despite a massive search. On April 5th, 1921, Special Agent Cook's service revolver was located in the possession of a man who was shot and killed by officers in North Little Rock as they attempted to serve a warrant on him. The man was wanted for shooting two people in Missouri.
Special Agent Cook had served with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department for two years. He had previously served as night policeman of the Fairfield, Iowa, Police Department and as a guard in an aviation camp during WWI. He was a widower who was survived by several children. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa.
Survivors
He was a widower who was survived by several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-346F5B58- 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.
Special Agent Cook gave the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Thank you 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
Herbert D. Cook served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Special Agent Herbert D. Cook 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department, 7 of 7 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. Herbert D. Cook's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert D. Cook Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert D. Cook is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herbert D. Cook was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Herbert D. Cook served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Herbert D. Cook’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
