Roll of Honor
Incident
Undersheriff John Ellis succumbed to the cold while returning to Elko after collecting court fees. A massive search was launched after he failed to return.
His body was not found until two months later when several hunters discovered his snow shoes and a campsite. His body was located approximately 400 yards from the campsite. The fees he had collected were located with his body along with his record book detailing the fees.
Undersheriff Ellis, On today, the 150th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Elko County.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) March 21st, 2024
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-F5D93281- 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
152 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Undersheriff Ellis served with the Elko County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Elko community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Undersheriff John J. Ellis 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 NV, 40 of 145 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 27.6% of this state's fallen. That is 3.4 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Elko County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 7 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 28.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Ellis Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Ellis is highlighted in Mar.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Elko County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
