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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry was struck and killed by a patrol car after deploying stop sticks during a high-speed pursuit on U.S. Highway 63 just north of Bloomfield, Iowa, shortly before midnight.
The suspect, who was being chased, later turned himself in and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. The suspect was convicted of charges related to Deputy McElderry's death and was sentenced to 12 years in jail.
Deputy McElderry had served with the Davis County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children, fiancee, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff McElderry gave the Davis County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McElderry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Dennis is the only officer of Davis County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Dennis is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer in IA was lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dennis was 45. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dennis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dennis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Fridays: 16.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Davis County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Davis County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.