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Incident
Patrolman Elmer Stephenson and Patrolman George Little were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect for being intoxicated in public at the local railroad station. Unbeknownst to the officers, the man had just attempted to murder his boss. When the officers arrived they were both shot. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Little and a railroad employee were able to subdue the man. Five days later the suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1954 and died in 1956.
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- 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.
Patrolman Stephenson served with the Richmond Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stephenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richmond Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Elmer is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Elmer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elmer is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elmer was 45. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Elmer was 45. 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.
Elmer was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 15.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Richmond Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Richmond Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Elmer among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Richmond Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
