Incident
Trooper Ermon Cox was shot and killed by a man suspected of driving while intoxicated. Trooper Cox and his 9 year-old son, in their personal automobile, had just left a store and followed the man into a nearby driveway. The suspect ran into his house, grabbed a rifle, and shot Trooper Cox through his windshield as he was backing away. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on October 15, 1958. He was executed in Arkansas' electric chair on January 2, 1959. Trooper Cox had served with the agency for 8 months. He was survived by his wife and two children. His 9 year-old son went on to become a Arkansas State Trooper.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Trooper Cox served with the Arkansas State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arkansas State Police has lost 23 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Ermon is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Ermon is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ermon is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 1 officer at Arkansas State Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1984, with 2.
In 1958, 2 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ermon was 35. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Arkansas State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 38; the middle age was 35. Ermon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Ermon was 35. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Ermon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Ermon was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ermon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ermon was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ermon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths at Arkansas State Police; September holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 28.6%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 11.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30.4% of all 23 deaths at Arkansas State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Arkansas State Police has 23 officers remembered here, Ermon among them.
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Algin Sidney Pavatt
Sep 25, 1948
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Ermon Boyce Cox
Aug 17, 1958
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Elmer Glen Bradshaw Dec 11, 1965
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Harry F. Locke
Sep 24, 1966
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Allen Harvie Bufford
Jul 27, 1969
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William Ronnie Brooks, III
Feb 27, 1975
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Kelly Ray Pigue
Dec 8, 1977
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Frederick Glen Bailey
Sep 5, 1980
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William L. Rose, Jr.
Dec 28, 1982
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Louis Perry Bryant
Jun 30, 1984
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Robert Whittington Klein
Oct 15, 1984
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Phillip Gene Ostermann
Aug 10, 1985
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Charles Michael Bassing
Jul 24, 1986
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Wilson A. Atkins, Jr.
Jul 3, 1988
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Clark Kent Simpson
Feb 18, 1989
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John Mack Scarberough
Sep 2, 1998
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Thomas Allen Craig
Dec 14, 2000
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Herbert James Smith
Feb 14, 2001
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Jimmie Harold White, II
Jun 1, 2002
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Mark Wesley Carthron
Sep 12, 2005
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Richard C. LeBow
Feb 4, 2008
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Jeff D. Hust
May 2, 2017
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Michael R. Springer
Feb 11, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
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