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Incident
Patrolman Elmer Cobb was shot and killed by unknown assailants while on his way to work.
He was walking from his home to headquarters just six blocks away when he was attacked behind a billboard and shot execution-style. His murder was never solved due to Prohibition-era political corruption.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Cobb gave the Boulder Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Boulder community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cobb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Boulder Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Elmer is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 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 1923, 1 officer at Boulder Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 1 officer in CO was killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elmer was 45. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Boulder Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 45; the middle age was 30. Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Elmer was 45. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
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 had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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. Elmer had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Boulder Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 40%.
November holds 10.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Boulder Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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
Boulder Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Elmer among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Boulder Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
