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Incident
Police Officer Elbert Claar, Deputy Gilbert Gallagher, and Sheriff Levi Parnell of the Whitman County Sheriff's Department were shot by a suspect after the man fought with another man. Officer Claar had spotted the man at a filling station and attempted to arrest him. As Officer Claar returned to his car to retrieve his nightstick the man opened fire with a .22 caliber handgun, striking Officer Claar five times. The suspect then drove to his house and grabbed a rifle with a scope before heading to a nearby hill. Deputy Gallagher responded to the residence and exited his cruiser. As he looked toward the house, the suspect shot him in the back and fired at another deputy who was able to get cover. The suspect then moved to another part of the hill near a college campus, where he shot and killed a civilian who was looking for him. Sheriff Parnell and another deputy also responded to the scene, and as Sheriff Parnell exited his cruiser, he was shot once in the chest by the suspect. The suspect was finally surrounded and hiding in bushes by a group of officers and citizens who opened fire, fatally wounding him. Officer Claar had served with the Pullman Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Police Officer Claar gave the Pullman Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pullman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Claar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pullman Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Elbert is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Elbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elbert 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 1949, 6 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elbert was 56. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Elbert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Elbert was 56. 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. Elbert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elbert was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elbert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Pullman Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pullman Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Elbert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pullman Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
