Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Lawrence Kost was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest four men who had just robbed a drug store. After being informed of a robbery and obtaining a description of the suspects, Patrolman Kost began searching for them. A short time later, Patrolman Kost located the four suspects near the intersection of Boren Avenue and Terrace Street. When he attempted to arrest them, one of the suspects shot and killed him. Three weeks earlier the four, with another suspect, shot and killed Corporal Frederick Holmes of the San Francisco Police Department, after they wrecked their stolen car during a high-speed chase. Patrolman Holmes was attempting to stop them for an armed robbery they committed minutes earlier. He shot and killed one suspect. In March of 1916 one suspect was shot and wounded when he attempted to rob a Los Angeles cafe. He was arrested at a Los Angeles hospital where he went for treatment. From his Hospital bed, he told officials two suspects were in San Quentin Prison serving terms for armed robbery. The other suspect was in jail in San Francisco. He said he and the others were involved in the murders of Patrolman Kost and Corporal Holmes. After Patrolman Kost was killed they went back to San Francisco where they killed a man after they broke into his home. During a six-month period, they committed 11 armed robberies in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, and stole several cars. The suspect said only one of his companions was the killer of all three. In 1917 he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to 25 years in San Quentin Prison. In 1917 the other three were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in San Quentin Prison. One, 22, was paroled on March 29, 1939. Patrolman Kost had been with the Seattle Police Department for five months.
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BO-US-WA-BAC36F39- 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.
Patrolman Kost served with the Seattle Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kost.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Lawrence E. Kost 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 Seattle Police Department, 44 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence E. Kost's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence E. Kost Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence E. Kost is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence E. Kost was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
59 officers from Seattle Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
