Nicholas Koleski
Agency patch
Officer

Nicholas Koleski

Aberdeen Police Department — Aberdeen, WA
Felonious
End of Watch September 21, 1920
Age 22
The Vigil Panel 39 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Nicholas Koleski was shot and killed after being abducted while investigating illegal moonshining.

His body was found in a creek blindfolded with five bullets in his head. The four suspects were later apprehended and brought to trial. During their trial the judge ordered the charges dismissed stating the prosecution had only circumstantial evidence.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-DAA52831
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Koleski served with the Aberdeen Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Aberdeen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Koleski.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, WA
Platform Identity apd.graysharbor.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 21, 1920
Age 22
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Officer Nicholas Koleski 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 97,772 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 Aberdeen Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Aberdeen Police Department
3
of 4 officers
75% Felonious
WA — Statewide
187
of 340 officers
55% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Koleski's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Nicholas Koleski Compares

Age at Death
22
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Koleski is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Koleski was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

3 officers from Aberdeen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.