Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Cogdill was killed after a suspect that he had just removed from a dance hall attacked him. After the suspect killed Deputy Cogdill, he stood over the Deputies body deciding what to do next. He then walked back into the dance hall and turned himself in. He was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. In 1952 the suspect was pardoned.
Survivors
Deputy Cogdill had been with the agency for 22 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-3AFD292C- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Cogdill gave the Union County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cogdill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff J. V. Cogdill 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Union County Sheriff's Office, 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. V. Cogdill's cause is highlighted.
How J. V. Cogdill Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 99 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. V. Cogdill is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. V. Cogdill was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
