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Incident
Sheriff Levi Parnell, Deputy Gilbert Gallagher, and Officer Elbert Claar of the Pullman Police 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 found hiding in bushes by a group of officers and citizens who opened fire, fatally wounding him. Sheriff Parnell had served as the sheriff of Whitman County Sheriff's Department for 6 years and previously served as Chief of Police at Colfax Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and three brothers.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Parnell gave the Whitman County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Parnell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Whitman County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Levi is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Levi is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Levi 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
Levi was 60. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Levi had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Levi was 60. 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. Levi had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Levi was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Levi had served 6 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 4 deaths at Whitman County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Whitman County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Levi among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Whitman County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
