Mark M. Elfman
Agency patch
Lieutenant

Mark M. Elfman

Dunkirk Police Department — Dunkirk, NY
Felonious
End of Watch October 1, 1961
Age 48
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 96 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Lieutenant Elfman was shot and killed when he and another officer responded to a domestic disturbance. As Lieutenant Elfman approached the front door of the home the suspect opened the door and fired a shotgun, fatally wounding him. The suspect was convicted of murder and later died of cancer in prison. Lieutenant Elfman was killed on the 15th anniversary of being sworn in as an officer with the Dunkirk Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and eight children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-176830CD
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.
Lieutenant Elfman gave the Dunkirk Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dunkirk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Elfman.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Dunkirk, NY
Platform Identity dpd.chautauqua.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 1, 1961
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 48
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Died in prison

Lieutenant Mark M. Elfman is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Dunkirk Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Dunkirk Police Department
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark M. Elfman's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Mark M. Elfman Compares

Age at End of Watch
48
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
15
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark M. Elfman is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark M. Elfman was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Dunkirk Police Department are honored on badge.nw.