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Incident
Chief of Police Elmer Sundby was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect. The suspect had robbed a power company of trolley car receipts and fled towards a wooded area on the bank of the Chippewa River. Chief Sundby, his officers, and citizens began a search of the area. Chief Sundby located the suspect and confronted him. During the ensuing shootout, Chief Sundby was shot twice. The suspect escaped by swimming across the river and was never apprehended. Chief Sundby had served with the Eau Claire Police Department for 12 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Sundby gave the Eau Claire Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eau Claire community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sundby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eau Claire Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elmer is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 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, 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 1921, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Elmer was 48. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Elmer had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Elmer was 48. 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 had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elmer was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elmer had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Eau Claire Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Eau Claire Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Elmer among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Eau Claire Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
