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Michael Steven Erdahl
Incident
Parole Officer Michael Erdahl was beaten and stabbed to death inside his home at 12716 Wright Bliss Road NW in Gig Harbor. The home was then set on fire and destroyed. Officer Erdahl served as a parole officer at the Bremerton Office and had been threatened by a recent parolee. Although the case has not been solved it is believed by the investigating agency that his murder was a result of his duties as a parole officer. Officer Erdahl had served with the Washington State Department of Corrections for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Parole Officer Erdahl gave the Washington State Department of Corrections 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Parole Officer Erdahl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washington State Department of Corrections has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 1 officer at Washington State Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1985, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 33. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Washington State Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 35.5; the middle age was 33.5. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 33. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Washington State Department of Corrections; January holds the most, 16.7%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
May holds 3.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 15%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Washington State Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Washington State Department of Corrections has 11 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Herbert L. Briggs
Feb 12, 1934
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William Warfield
Nov 17, 1970
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Roger G. Sanders
Sep 1, 1978
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William Cross
Jun 15, 1979
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Michael Steven Erdahl
May 29, 1985
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Jayme Lee Biendl
Jan 29, 2011
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Berisford Anthony Morse
May 17, 2020
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David Alan Christensen
Dec 29, 2020
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Gabriel Kyle Forrest
Jun 17, 2021
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Darryl Goodrich, Jr.
Aug 20, 2021
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Jay Miller
Feb 11, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Washington State Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
