Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed while questioning a suspect in White Center, Washington.
Deputy Cox and other deputies had responded to a shooting in the southwestern part of the city and located a truck driver who had been beaten and shot in the head. As they were questioning people at a nearby house party, Deputy Cox was interviewing someone in a back bedroom when he was shot in the head. Two deputies responding to the gunshot were fired upon but returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man then committed suicide.
Deputy Cox was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wound.
The original shooting was the result of the truck driver striking a vehicle with his truck. The victim survived the gunshot wound.
Deputy Cox was a 9 year veteran of the King County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy Cox and other deputies had responded to a shooting in the southwestern part of the city and located a truck driver who had been beaten and shot in the head. As they were questioning people at a nearby house party, Deputy Cox was interviewing someone in a back bedroom when he was shot in the head. Two deputies responding to the gunshot were fired upon but returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man then committed suicide.
Deputy Cox was a 9 year veteran of the King County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-594695DF- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Cox gave the King County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Steven E. Cox 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At King County Sheriffs Dept., 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven E. Cox's cause is highlighted.
How Steven E. Cox Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven E. Cox is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven E. Cox was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from King County Sheriffs Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
