Cory Raymond Elson

Indiana State Police — Indianapolis, IN

Felonious

End of Watch April 3, 1999

Age 26

Tour of Duty 3 mo

The Vigil Panel 146 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 45

Incident

Trooper Cory Elson was shot and killed after making a traffic stop on U.S. 27 in Decatur in Adams County.

As Trooper Elson exited his vehicle, the suspect opened fire with a fully automatic AK-47. One of the first rounds penetrated the cruiser's door and struck Trooper Elson in the leg. Trooper Elson retreated to the rear of his cruiser and returned fire. The suspect continued to fire at Trooper Elson, firing as many as 36 rounds, fatally wounding him. An employee of a business was shot and wounded during the gunfire and was able to call 911.

The suspect was able to flee the scene but was captured the next day. In July 2000, the suspect was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 20 years after entering a plea agreement to be spared the death penalty.

Trooper Elson was the second of three troopers in 10 months to be killed in the line of duty from the 56th ISP Recruit Academy which graduated in December 1998. He was a roommate of Trooper Richard Gaston who was killed in the line of duty on March 4, 1999.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-5CA969BD
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Cory. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Elson served with the Indiana State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Indiana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Elson.

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

Agency

Department Indiana State Police

Location Indianapolis, IN

Platform Identity insp.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 3, 1999

Tour of Duty 3 mo

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Trooper Cory Raymond Elson 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Indiana State Police, 21 of 46 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.7% of this agency's fallen.

Indiana State Police

of 46 officers

45.7% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious